Coronavirus, face masks and Uganda's new 14-day-lockdownMay 05, 2020 11:25 AM @ugandaonline The 21-day-lockdown ends today, but President Museveni was able to extend it for another 14 days after easing some of the restrictions. Private cars and public transport, schools and churches are among those not allowed to operate at this time, face masks are no compulsory.. Coronavirus - Uganda starts to ease restrictions Sponsored Links |
Yesterday, President Museveni was addressing the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic and unlike the previous time, he allowed some sectors to operate. The current lockdown that expires today (May 5) has been extended for another 14 days before it can be reviewed again. Farming, manufacturing, transport of cargo were to continue except for a few problems that were encountered. "We only got a problem with the interstate cargo transport with the drivers from the neighboring countries, I have, however spoken to His Excellency Kenyatta, His Excellency Magufuli, His Excellence Kagame and the matter of the lorry drivers will be streamlined." The President also confirmed that he will speak to South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and DRCs President Felix Tshisekedi. The President went on further to clarify that he cannot ban the trucks, but he insisted that the grand daughters should keep away from the drivers. | Sponsored Links
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Food markets were allowed to continue operating like it has been the case. Airports will remain closed. Factories can also continue to operate provided they follow the SOPs. Hardware shops, metal and wood workshops, garages were also free top operate now that they did not attract large numbers, thus avoiding mass infections. Advertisements |
Wholesale shops can operate, but the seller should be 2 meters apart from the customer and the customers have to be 4 meters from each other. They should also wear masks. Warehousing shops can operate but no air conditioning where people are. The President also allowed Insurance service providers to operate to support factories, firms and shops. Lawyers are allowed to operate and the Uganda Law Society (ULS) was tasked to provide 30 lawyers that will offer urgent legal services and urgent criminal cases like alignment. Restaurants can operate provided they offer takeaway services, no one is allowed to sit in the restaurants. Many were contemplating that some of these could resume operations, but because they involve large numbers which could easily lead to a spike in infections, the President found it unwise to have them opened. Schools, churches and entertainment centers will remain closed. Face masks are now compulsory for anyone in public, they don't have to be medicated, even cloth masks are allowed on condition that you wash them regularly and use a flat iron to press them. In the same vein, the President added that it was not wise to allow private and public vehicles to resume operations at this time. Uganda currently has 89 confirmed COVID-19 infections, 30 of which are truck drivers. 55 have been discharged and no deaths so far recorded. Out of the 89, Ugandans are 55, 12 Tanzanians, 14 Kenyans, 3 Burundians, 1 Canadian, 2 Chinese, 1 Indian and 1 Congolese. Share |