As a new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic ravages the world , Uganda through the Ministry of Health has suspended all flights to and from India, Minister of Information , Ms. Judith Nabakooba has said.
In her , weekly media briefing Nabakooba said that government has taken the necessary steps to stem the spread of new types of the virus that have been reported in different parts of the world.
“Government has decided to embark on some of the strategies that we employed last year in March. These interventions are going to help the country to avoid what is happening in India now,” Nabakooba explained..
On Friday, the Minister of Health announced the suspension of all flights and travelers from India until further notice. But Nabakooba said the suspension however does not include Ugandans who had gone for treatment.
The Minister also announced that all travelers coming through the airport and land boarders will be tested for COVID-19. Dr. Ruth Aceng, the Health Minister said that Uganda was now witnessing a gradual increase in new Covid-19 cases and that’s why her colleague ,Nabakooba has now rallied those who have been called up for vaccination to go and get the vaccine at the nearest health facility.
So far only 330,077 Ugandans have been vaccinated a figure which is still very low. The Information Minister reminded Ugandans to stick to the SOPs that have helped a lot to keep the virus at bay. “Let us reawaken our caution by wearing masks all the time, washing hands with soap and social distancing,” she stressed
At least some 21 million Ugandans in the high-risk category are eligible for vaccination but not even a million have showed up for vaccination.
India Covid -19 crisis
India has recorded its highest daily coronavirus death toll since the pandemic began – a day after it became the first country to see more than 400,000 new cases.
Its health ministry said 3,689 people had died within the past 24 hours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the health minister on Sunday morning to review the crisis. Hospitals are battling to treat patients amid a chronic shortage of beds and medical oxygen.
