Increase in Covid cases forces schools to shut for further 42 days
While there is a downwards trend in Covid-19 cases globally, Uganda has seen a sharp increase in cases in the last couple of weeks. As a result, President Museveni last night declared a number of strict restrictions for the country, for the first time this year.
President Museveni announced in January that students will be in a phased return back to school, until the final school years would have returned this month.
Unfortunately, despite the effort involved in administering 700K+ vaccines across Uganda, the increase in cases mean schools need to shut for 42 days. (Below is the summarized list of restrictions.)
While other parts of the world are celebrating with a sense of normality starting to reappear, we in Uganda are enduring restrictions that are continuing to severely impact our livelihood, education & health. Additionally, as the third wave of Covid hits Uganda, we are struggling with basic infrastructure to cope.
‘Uganda has all but run out of Covid-19 vaccines and oxygen as the country grapples with another wave of the pandemic.
Both private and public medical facilities in the capital, Kampala and in towns across the country – including regional hubs in Entebbe, Jinja, Soroti, Gulu and Masaka – have reported running out or having acute shortages of AstraZeneca vaccines and oxygen. Hospitals report they are no longer able to admit patients to intensive care.’
Please continue to think and pray for the families we work with, our staff, our friends, family and the country in the months ahead.
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Measures to Limit the Spread Amid Surge of Covid-19 Cases
1. Schools closed for 42 days effective 8am on 7th June 2021
2. Churches, mosques and open air worship closed for 42 days
3. All teachers to get vaccinated before resuming teaching when schools open
4. Public, cultural gatherings and conferences suspended for 42 days
5. Travel from category A countries remain suspended except for returning Ugandans
6. Agriculture activities like cultivating and ploughing gardens and fishing to continue
7. Non agricultural activities like factory, construction, shopping malls and super markets to continue while observing SOPs
8. Factories, hotels, Markets, to operate under strict observance of SOPs
9. Marriage ceremonies and other social gatherings allowed with a maximum of 20 people under strict observance of SOPs
10. House parties are strictly banned
11. No. Of persons at burials and vigils should not exceed 20 people
12. Weekly non food markets suspended for 42 days
13. Cattle markets suspended for 42 days
14. All public transport between and across districts are suspended for 42 days from 10th of June 2021
15. All inter district travel banned except between Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono for 42 days. Only cargo trucks excepted. Registered travel vehicles and service vehicles excepted.
16. Public transport allowed within districts. Private vehicles limited to 3 people within districts
17. Cargo trucks are allowed only 2 people