Entebbe International Airport has been closed off from international flights –effective today midnight Sunday 22nd March 2020 Apart from cargo planes and UN relief aid. This was announced as part of the new measure by the President Yoweri Museveni hours before the Minister or Health announced the Uganda has received her first coronavirus case.
Previously Uganda was putting all passengers arriving under quarantine. Uganda has close to 2000 people under quarantine.
“No passenger planes will be allowed to land in Uganda or leave. Only cargo planes and their crew members will be allowed in the country. Meanwhile, those sneezing should keep away from the public,” President Museveni said as he announced additional measures to contain COVID-19.
The new COVID-19 measures Uganda has taken, include;
- All passenger planes prohibited
- Only cargo planes allowed in and out
- No entry into Uganda except by truck drivers by land and water from neigbouring countries
- No buses, no boda bodas to cross the borders
- No pedestrians walking into or out of Uganda
The announcement has now put popular passenger airlines like Eithopian Airways, Erimates, etc on a total halt in regards to doing any business in Uganda.
The Airport is also under quarantine after 36 year male from Dubai aboard Ethiopia airlines presented signs of coronavirus. His temperature was check in intervals pf 30 minutes and was persistent at 38.7 degrees, and was immediately isolated. He was evacuated to Entebbe Grade B Hospital for isolation. He presented symptoms of a high fever and loss of appetite, but no flu or cough. UVRI confirmed him positive for COVID-19.
The Ministry of Health has urged Ugandans to be calm and follow the simple health guidelines issued by the World Health Organization in order to keep safe.
