The world has witnessed the emergence of a new global health threats- Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), for which control measures are still evolving. Cross-border movements of people as well as trade in goods and services are increasing the challenges for infectious disease control.

On 27th April 2020, TMA hosted an e-conference on “Role of Standards in Facilitating Safe Trade during and after COVID-19”. This conference was part of a series of live e-conferences hosted by TMA to discuss COVID 19 impacts on trade in the region and proposed interventions to help address the challenges. The e-conference aimed at discussing the impact of COVID-19 in the East African region and to give experts and practitioners an opportunity to discuss practical solutions and approaches to ensuring that trade in essential goods and services is not disrupted. Mr. Frank Matsaert, the CEO of TMA, moderated the E-Conference.