COVID-19: Health ministry dispels renewed fears of spread

The Ministry of Health has said all measures are being taken to avoid the spread of COVID-19 following a surge in COVID cases in China.

The Ministry of Health spokesperson, Emmanuel Ainnebyoona, has assured the public that there is no cause for alarm and that arrivals from China will for now only need to present negative PCR test results.

“People don’t need to get worried. The Ministry of Health is control of the situation. People arriving from China will have to present a negative PCR test,” he assured the public.

Ainnebyoona appealed to Ugandans to ensure that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

This comes at the backdrop of China abruptly dropping its COVID-19 controls in December last year allowing free movement to and from the country which has in turn led to a surge in COVID cases.

The US and several European countries have since imposed travel restrictions on arrivals from China over concerns about coronavirus, and in Africa, Ghana and Morocco are the first to make a similar move.

The European Union has also issued new guidance “strongly” recommending that all member states introduce the requirement that passengers flying from China provide a negative COVID test before their departure, raising concern among Ugandans over the same.

In a televised address, about the health situation in the country last year, Museveni said the National Task Force on COVID-19 had reviewed the current situation in the country and made recommendations aimed at avoiding a resurgence and flare up of infections. These he said must be adopted for implementation with immediate effect.

Among those new restrictions included: Having a certificate of vaccination with evidence of up-to-date boosting in order to be allowed entry into formal meetings and public places. These, he said, include religious gatherings, local council meetings, and other social meetings. Where there is no up-to-date vaccination certificate, a negative PCR test within 24 hours must be presented to be allowed access.

The President also said that a COVID-19 vaccination certificate will be required to access offices at all government ministries, departments and agencies and other public and private offices.

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