In his latest address to the nation regarding Uganda’s battle with coronavirus, President Museveni announced updates on lockdown measures lifting.
President Museveni announced that schools are set to resume next month (15th October) for finalists, a small percentage of the school-going population, to allow them to finish their respective levels.
“We have decided to reopen schools for candidate classes including P.7, S.4, and S.6 plus finalists in tertiary institutions like colleges and universities,” Museveni said.
The President explained that it was safer for finalists only to resume studies because they are 1.5 million which represents only 10% of the total number of 15 million learners in the country.
“Each group will have a bigger space for social distancing. If they follow Standard Operating Procedures, they will be safe. The cost of waiting any further is very high because of the jam of transition.”
The students in the other years of their studies will have to wait until next year to go back to school, with January 2021 being the earliest time that could happen.
Lovers of sports will be smiling again as the President allowed for the resumption of Sports activities, but behind closed doors. President insisted that sportswomen and men will be subject to COVID19 tests every 14 days. Indoor sports will remain on lockdown though, as the idea of proximity sports in a closed environment increases chances of infection.
Among other issues addressed was the opening of borders and the Entebbe International airport for tourism majorly, and nationals returning home.
“Airports and borders will be open to international tourists provided they test negative 72 hours before travel, and are taken directly to their destinations.”
Churches were allowed to open for the public but only limited to 70 people, with emphasis on the SOPs and guidelines provided by health experts and officials. Casinos and bars will remain closed, as 9 pm to 6 am curfew is also still in place.
Uganda has recorded 6287 cases and only 63 deaths since the first case of Coronavirus was recorded in March.