Following the struggles of preventing the disease from spreading, on 30th January 2020, the World Health Organization announced it as a Public Health Event of International Concern. Lately, yesterday March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus a Pandemic disease. A pandemic is a disease epidemic that has spread across a large region; for instance multiple continents, or worldwide. A widespread endemic disease that is stable in terms of how many people are getting sick from it is not a pandemic.
It is important to state that coronavirus, although relatively new, isn’t so much different from those that emerged earlier like Influenza, SARs, cholera, Ebola, and Marburg among other viruses and respiratory infections. In fact, SARs that attacked China and other Asian countries between 2002-2003 was more aggressive.
As of today March 11, 2020, Uganda still has no confirmed case. Addressing journalists on March 9, 2020 at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Kampala, Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng, said there is no confirmed case of coronavirus in Uganda, but the government is taking precautionary measures to ensure that the deadly virus doesn’t get into the country.
Although no case has been detected in Uganda, on account of the regular traffic between mainland China and Uganda, there have been attempts through local media elites especially those in print, electronic and social media that have spread unresearched information to cause fear, hysteria among the travellers and hate against the government.
There are over 1000 travelers coming in Uganda from different countries for their Uganda trips and Tours, others are coming in just for a holiday, business while the rest are returning home. These individuals have been identified as high risk and those that show signs are identified for purposes of follow up.
According to the Ministry of Health in Uganda, there are over 765 travelers under self-quarantine of which 456 have completed the 14 Days mandatory self-isolation test. Samples that were taken from over 20 persons with signs and symptoms similar to those of the COVID-19 all tested negative.
Since Uganda is free from the virus, travelers that have booked their safaris in Uganda and are still in good health conditions are free to travel and enjoy their Uganda tours as earlier booked.
The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health reviewed the evolution of the outbreak under three different categories and has came up with different measures basing on that. The criteria were done to help assess the risk of importation of the virus from the affected countries to Uganda.
Six countries from category 2 have been added to category 1 because of the increase in the number of new cases per day and the cumulative number of cases. China the biggest country with the number of cases has recorded 20 new cases as of March 10, 2020. The cumulative number of cases remains high and they have not recorded zero cases in 14 days.
Therefore the government of Uganda Restricts Travel of 16 Countries from visiting; Iran, Italy, San Marino, South Korea, France, China, Spain, Germany, Belgium, USA, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Austria, and Malaysia should consider postponing non-essential visits to Uganda. Those that insist on visiting Uganda must undergo the 14-day self-quarantine at a health facility at their cost even when they don’t exhibit the symptoms of Coronavirus.
On March 9, Uganda refused 22 European delegates who had travelled to take in Uganda-EU Business Forum from entering the country after they refused to self-isolate themselves. So far, 1,623 travellers have been followed by the ministry and asked for self-quarantine since COVID 19 was declared in China in December 2019. Of these 1,071 are Chinese, 244 are Ugandans, 443 are Italians and 34 are from South Korea.
Those with essential visits for example that had booked Uganda safaris with different Uganda Tour Operators like Prime Safaris & Tours Ltd should extend their Trips to Uganda ahead and if they insist they will undergo a mandatory of 14 Days self-quarantine at a health facility on their own bill.
If you didn’t know about Uganda, it is a famous home of half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas trekked by tourists on Uganda gorilla safaris, Uganda is also home to about 11% of the world’s bird species that bird fanatics can enjoy during a Uganda birding safari, all of Africa’s big five safari animals you can during a Uganda wildlife tour, a huge population of chimpanzees open for Uganda chimpanzee safari, excellent weather suitable for everyone, the source of the world’s longest river, River Nile, Happy and hospitable people and many more. This continues to reaffirm Uganda as Africa’s leading holiday destination.
The Ministry of Health in Uganda has enhanced measures to ensure there is no importation of Coronavirus in Uganda.
The Ministry of Health in Uganda is set to observe the evolution outbreak of coronavirus in these countries;- Finland, Philippines, Indonesia, and Pakistan will be observed closely by the Ministry of Health as well as the outbreak in the countries and advise on any restrictions in the coming weeks. India which was previously in category 2 has dropped to category 3.
As a result, the rest of the countries will undergo a routine screening upon arrival at any entry point in Uganda and advised on the measures to take while in the country to prevent infection and where to report if not feeling well.
This Ministry of Health analysis will be reviewed weekly and travel advice will be updated accordingly. Countries that have been mentioned and restricted will be removed off the list id they don’t register new cases in 14 Days.
Emergency measures have been put in place to help curb the outbreak;
There are various medically approved recommendations or ways of how to prevent the Coronavirus Infection that the Government of Uganda has put in place measures or rules to follow to ensure maximum safety for all travellers that come for Uganda tours;–
This is to ensure the health and safety of all guests and staff.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes good respiratory hygiene. Health workers encourage people to make it a policy. This means to ensure you cover your mouth and nose with your hankie or tissue whenever you cough or sneeze. It is always good to have more than one hankie with you. If you are using tissue, dispose of the used tissue immediately in the waste bin.
Why? Nose and mouth droplets spread the virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses (germs) that may be on your hands. This is one of the safest and easiest measures.
You are recommended to maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? People who cough or sneeze without covering their mouth and nose spray small liquid droplets in space and these may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can easily breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
If you touch your face when your hands are not clean, you can easily contaminate it if you have contacted the virus.
Why? We use our hands to touch many surfaces and some of them may have been infected with the virus. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Don’t stay home if you feel unwell more so when you have a fever, cough and breathing difficulty, seek medical attention.
Why? In case you are a victim, National and local authorities will get the most up to date information on the situation in your area. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.
Staying informed about the latest developments more so about the COVID-19 outbreak is the best practice. In case you are a victim, follow the advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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