Government slaps travel restrictions on more nine countries
Measures. Health officials screen travellers on arrivals for coronavirus symptoms at Entebbe airport on March 8. People flying into Uganda from more nine countries that are worst hit by the virus will be put under mandatory quarantine at their own cost for two weeks. FILE PHOTO
People flying into Uganda from more nine countries worst hit by coronavirus will be put under mandatory quarantine at their own cost for two weeks following an increase in the number of new cases registered per day and cumulative number of cases in their countries, the government has said.
Last week government put travel restrictions on seven countries but yesterday Dr Ruth Jane Aceng, the Health minister, revealed that more nine countries had been added to category one.
The affected countries include Italy, San Marino, South Africa, France, China, Germany, Spain, Belgium, USA, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Iran, Austria and Malaysia.
The preferred alternative, Dr Aceng announced yesterday, for such people, whether Ugandans or foreigners is to suspend travel to Uganda until the outbreak is contained.
“Six countries previously in category two, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, and United States of America have moved to category one because of the increase in the number of new cases per day and cumulative number of cases,” Dr Aceng said during a media briefing at Ministry of Health headquarters yesterday.
The coronavirus outbreak first came to light in December last year in China, and at least 113,702 people worldwide have been infected, with 4,000 killed by yesterday.
Coronavirus first presents as flu and cough and eventually grows into respiratory complications and high fever.
Uganda is among the different countries worldwide that have instituted safeguards against the spread of the virus, and has in recent weeks only advised travellers from such countries to go into self-quarantine for 14 days when they arrive in Uganda. After 14 days without exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus, one is declared free of it.
Dr Aceng added that people arriving from countries that have been classed as category two will be observed very closely.
The countries in this category are Finland, Philippines, Indonesia and Pakistan.
The rest of the countries are under category three and travellers arriving from there will undergo routine screening upon arrival and be advised on how to prevent possible spread of the virus.
Under self-quarantine, one stays at home, hotel room, or any identified accommodation without mixing with family members or the general public for the period of 14 days.
Currently, government is working with Civil Aviation Authority to consider spraying all travellers who arrive into the country as they disembark from the aircraft.
A total of 1,632 travellers including Ugandans and others travelling back home have been identified for purposes of follow up.
Of these 1,071 are Chinese, 244 are Ugandans, 43 are Italians, 34 from South Korea and 484 from other nationals.
A total of 986 travellers are under self-quarantine of which 606 have completed the mandatory 14 days quarantine.
Makerere School of Public Health has organised a dialogue on Friday to educate masses about coronavirus.
