Travel Measures And Recommendations For Entering Uganda Due Corona Virus Outbreak Across The Globe

    “No case of coronavirus infections registered in Uganda as of 10 March 2020”

On 7th March 2020, the Ugandan Ministry of Health advised travelers from countries with high numbers of corona virus cases to postpone traveling to Uganda unless for essential reasons.

As part of preventive measures against the corona virus outbreak, people entering Uganda from category 1 countries especially from countries most affected by the virus including China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand will be required to undergo 14 days quarantine and the ministry also advised Ugandans who were intending to travel to these countries to reconsider their travels.

UTB Chief Executive Officer Lilly Ajarova has also advised all tour operators, tour agencies and accommodation facilities to provide handwashing facilities with soap at their premises and onboard, travel vehicles and vessels. She also encouraged tour operators to maintain a stock of recommended masks (N95) for their clients or inform their clients who intend to come to visit Uganda to carry their own recommended masks (N95).UTB Chief Executive Officer also advised tour operators to educate their staff and visitors on preventive measures for the mitigation of contracting coronavirus. And Engagi Safari has since adhered to the above advice.

Below is what you should expect and go through as you enter Uganda

Screening at Entebbe International Airport and all border entry points. All travelers will be screened and more emphasis will be put on those traveling in from category 1 countries. All Ugandan Nationals and Foreigners traveling from those countries will undergo screening. Any person found with signs and symptoms will be taken and be isolated in Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital and China-Uganda Friendship hospital, Naguru. Those without visible symptoms but are from category 1 countries will still be isolated and quarantined for 14 days Even without symptoms, infected persons may be infectious.

Quarantined persons will be followed up for 14 days by the Ministry of healthy surveillance officers who will monitor them for signs and symptoms of the 2019 n-Cov daily. After 14 days, quarantined persons will only be released by the surveillance officers upon certification that they are okay.

• All travelers arriving into the country from category 1 countries will be required to provide their details including home address, telephone numbers and the next of kin’s details for purposes of follow up by the health workers and immigration officers carrying out the screening.
• We appeal to travelers and all stakeholders to exercise discipline, care, compassion, and responsibility when isolated. Please follow the guidance given to you by the Ministry of Health’s surveillance officers so that we protect one another, protect the general public and our country.

 Health workers at all health facilities across the country and points of entry have been guided on how to;

• Identify, isolate, investigate and care for the suspected persons early.
• Notify the next reporting level in line with national disease notification guidelines or the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre.
• Employ standard infection prevention and control measures to avoid contracting the disease.
• From today onwards until the end of this outbreak, the Ministry of Health advises the general public against shaking of hands whether it is for purposes of greeting or otherwise.

 The Ministry of Health is currently undertaking mass communication and public awareness campaigns to educate the general public on how to prevent the novel coronavirus. All persons will be reached with these messages either through print, radio, social media, door to door or television and digital media. The Ministry will also target district leaders, religious, cultural and political leaders. This will be done in conjunction with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.