Uganda's ministry of health has issued new travel restrictions to limit the importation of COVID-19 cases as the east African country experiences a surge in cases, signaling what experts call the start of the second wave of the pandemic.
Ruth Aceng, minister of health told reporters that travelers arriving in Uganda have been categorized into three groups, category one, two and three depending on presence and trend of the variant of concern, high transmission rate and the number of deaths registered in the last three months.
Aceng said travelers and passenger flights from category one countries, that is India, were banned from traveling into the country starting May 1.
She said the only exception applies to cargo crews who do not disembark from the aircraft, aircraft in state of emergency, technical stops where travelers do not disembark, and operations related to humanitarian aid and medical evacuation.
Countries in category two include Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, South Africa, United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates.
The third category includes all travelers who are not among the listed countries.
The minister advised all travelers from category two countries to suspend their non-essential travels to Uganda.
She said those who opt to travel to Uganda will be subjected to COVID-19 test at their own cost as soon as they arrive at the country's border posts including Entebbe International Airport.
Those who are found to be positive, would be taken to an isolation center while those who are negative will be let free to continue with their journey.
She said children arriving into the country from category two countries will also be subjected to a test, and if found positive, they will be taken to an isolation center under the company of their parent or guardian. Those who test negative will be let free.
According to the ministry, people traveling from category 2 and 3 countries who have received their full COVID-19 vaccination doses and are asymptomatic will be allowed to enter the country without need for testing.
According to the ministry of health, the COVID-19 situation in Uganda has started to worsen, noting that cases have increased by 81 percent in the last six weeks.
Ministry of health figures show that the country on Thursday reported 50 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 42,152 and 345 deaths, since the first index case was reported last year on March 22.
Minister Aceng said the surge in numbers is a signal that the country is starting the second wave of the pandemic.
Despite the increase in numbers, the public, according to health experts is complacent. On the streets in the capital Kampala, people have stopped wearing face masks and are not following the social distancing measures as instructed by the ministry of health.
"My fellow Ugandans, the resurgence of the pandemic is real, with the young people being affected severely. This is worrisome, as the ministry has noted that complacency regarding adhering to the standard operating procedures is increasing," said Aceng. "This, therefore, calls for vigilance and maximum responsibility from all of us to prevent deadly scenarios that we are witnessing in other countries," she said.
The country is currently facing five COVID-19 variants, including those first found in India, South Africa and Britain.
On the preventive side, Uganda is continuing to push for increased vaccination. Some 375,283 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with AstraZeneca vaccine since the vaccination campaign was launched on March 10, according to the ministry.
The country was this month scheduled to receive 5 million doses but the supply was interrupted by the increased number of COVID-19 cases in India where the AstraZeneca vaccine is made. There is concern that India may not supply the vaccine as it focuses on controlling the rapid spread of the pandemic internally.
Minister Aceng said the new consignment of the AstraZeneca vaccine is expected in the country next month.
Aceng advised those who are due for their second dose of the vaccine to wait for the 12-week period from the time of receipt of the first dose. She said focus is now on having more people get the vaccine. ■