Publicist and activist Lerato Sengadi has expressed her frustration with the experience after she tested for Covid-19 after visiting Europe.
The South African government advised people to call 0800-029-999 as soon as they believe they have symptoms.
Lerato recently made a trip to Europe, she said she had flu-like symptoms, which made her to think she might be infected with COVID-19.
“I called the line after starting to have flu symptoms. Ordinarily, I would get over-the-counter meds, but because I was recently in Europe I wanted to do the responsible thing and get checked.
“I called twice and both times the consultants said I should go to the doctor and into self-isolation, which is obviously contradictory to the messages circulating. They said there is no free testing. Testing cannot be done at the doctor but at a hospital,” she wrote.
When she met a doctor, she had to pay R1,500 for a nasal swab and was told to self-isolate as a precautionary measure.
