President Museveni has urged Ugandans not to compromise their lives by exposing themselves to risky situations due to the nature of covid-19. He advised Ugandans to stay home if they are not so sure of their safety.
Addressing the nation a day after Uganda confirmed the first coronavirus case yesterday when one person tested positive on arrival from Dubai where he had spent 3 days on a business trip.
President Museveni said business appointments, and errands can wait as the authorities monitor the trajectory the outbreak of CODIV-19 takes.
He said there is a strong likelihood that the victim picked coronavirus from Dubai, though a possibility that he left the country with the virus cannot also be ruled out.
He said the victim who tested positive of coronavirus last evening is evidence that one can remain asymptomatic only to develop symptoms in a few days since he left the country on 19th March only to test positive 3 days later which shows the complexity of detection of the disease.
He said after closing schools and banning public gatherings, the only remaining danger is public transport due to the proximity of passengers to one another.
He, therefore,, appealed to Ugandans who don’t own private means of transport to remain home instead of risking catching coronavirus in public vehicles.
“Stay home, where are you going?” Museveni said. He also urged people with symptoms of coronavirus like fever, coughing and sneezing to also stay home.
Besides shaking hands Museveni said Ugandans should ensure social distancing and desist from the practice of touching elbows as a sign of greeting.
He however, said he has not banned public transport but appealed to managers not to allow anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus to board their vehicles. He advised them to arrange and acquire temperature monitoring equipment in taxi and bus parks, and ensure they have utilities for hand-washing and disinfecting vehicles. He said it is the only remaining danger.
To students who were recently sent home from schools, to stay in their parents’ homes where they can be safe.
Regarding workplaces, President said offices and other companies can continue to operating under guidelines because they have the capability to regulate their employees, but public places like bars, nightclubs and discos must remain closed.
There are now 336,004 confirmed cases,14,641 deaths, and 98,334 recoveries worldwide.
Total Deaths14,641
