The Uganda government has moved to ease down on a number of travel and business-opening restrictions, but President Museveni insists all these moves are dependent on the availability of government approved and issued protective masks.
In a speech to the nation, yesterday 18th May 2020, Mr. Museveni said that government will from June 2nd 2020 start distributing the masks and until then various measures cannot go into effect.
“The measures to ease lockdown as addressed today will be activated only when each individual has received a standard mask distributed by the government of Uganda,” clarified president Museveni, on his official Twitter account, minutes after his official presidential address ended.
“The government will provide standard masks to all Ugandans aged 6 years and above, these will be distributed through the District Local Council system. Each person will be allocated one mask which must be worn all the time when in public,” further twitted the President.
Earlier on, president Museveni had announced a number of measures to ease down on the lockdown that has been in force, now for 49 days.
The measures include:
- Shops selling general merchandize will open provided they are not in the shopping malls, shopping arcades and food markets. Shops in malls/arcades can’t open now because it is impossible to observe social distancing in shopping malls or arcades;
- Market vendors especially those selling food, that have previously pitched camp in the markets are free to return home and commute from home, if they so wish;
- Public transport will resume but with strict regulations. Mini-buses, buses, taxis, tuk-tuks can operate provided they carry only a half of their normal capacity. Though public transport won’t operate in border districts for another 21 days;
- Education institutions will open but only for finalists/candidate classes; other learners will have to wait. There will be no first-term examinations and social distancing is a must;
- Food restaurants can open as long as the clients observe social-distancing and there is no air-conditioning which spreads the virus;
- People with private cars will be allowed to drive as long as they do not carry more than 3 people, including the driver.
However, boda-bodas (motorcycle and bicycle taxis) won’t carry passengers yet. They will only be allowed to continue to carry cargo as they have been doing during the time of the lock-down. Bars, night-clubs, gyms, saunas, swimming pools and hair-salons, will stay closed for another 21 days since by their very nature of business, they cannot easily observe the rules of social distancing.
Bob Okodi, Amref Health Africa Uganda CFO, On Purpose-Driven Finance and Measuring Impact in Lives, Not MarginsThe International borders of Uganda and the airport will remain closed. The curfew that has been in place from 1900hours until 0630 hours, remains in place for another 21 days.
President Museveni also said that all the other restrictions previously announced will remain in place for another 21 days. He also said that the national taskforce headed by the Rt. Hon Prime Minister will meet and offer detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in relation to these directives.
Confirmed cases reach 260 as government starts instant testing of truck drivers.
Meanwhile the number of Covid-19 cases in Uganda, have reached 260 as twenty one (12) new cases were confirmed by yesterday.
“Today, 18th May,2020, 12 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed from 1,743 samples of truck drivers. All new cases are Ugandans. The total confirmed COVID-19 cases are now 260. 32 foreign truck drivers who tested positive for COVID-19 were turned back to their respective countries,” twitted Ministry of Health.
No COVID-19 related death has been registered to-date
The cumulative number of recovered patients is sixty three (63).
