Museveni Closes Schools, Worshipping Places For 42 Days, All Key Points From the Address

President Yoweri Museveni has today, Sunday, 6th June, 2021 addressed the nation on the COVID-19 situation and he ordered for an immediate closure of all schools for 42 days as one of the ways of containing the surging cases of the second wave of Covid-19.

His address comes at a time when the country is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases especially in the youth (between 20-39).

Below are key highlights from the Presidential address:

1. All schools to close for 42 days beginning Mon 7 June 8 am.
2. All teachers to get fully vaccinated before they are accepted at school.
3. Communal prayers whether in Churches or Mosques or other open venues are suspended for 42 days.
4. Public gatherings except for cabinet, legislature are suspended.
5. Travel from category A countries as guided by MoH remains suspended (except for returning Ugandans).
6. Agricultural activities like farming, pastoralism, etc will be allowed to continue.
7. Supermarkets, shopping malls, hotels, markets, taxi parks and the likes to remain open so long as they maintain SOPs
8. Marriage ceremonies, parties and all other social gatherings are allowed with a maximum of up to 20 people. SOPs must be observed. House parties are banned.
9. Number of people at burials, vigils shouldn’t exceed 20 people.
10. Weekly markets/cattle markets suspended for the next 42 days.
11. All public transport between and across districts are suspended from 10th of June for 42 days. The exception is for Kampala metropolitan (Kampala-Mukono-Entebbe-Wakiso).
12. Cargo tracks can move. Only two people are allowed in the truck
13. Registered tourist cars can move.
14. Public transport within the districts are allowed.
15. Bars, discos, cinemas remain closed.
16. Sports events can continue but without spectators. Athlete’s must present negative PCR test results.
17. All malls and markets to maintain SOPs.
18. Encourage people to work from home. Only 30% should come to office. This should be for one month.
19. Each institution/workplace should have a hygiene focal person.
20. Private vehicles are not allowed to move across districts. And each vehicle should have up to 3 people
21. Ambulance and garbage vehicles allowed to operate normally.
22. Shopping arcades, hardware’s to close by 7pm.
23. Pharmacies can operate past 7pm
24. Food markets to continue operating with strict SOPs
25. Saloons, garages, lodges to operate but close by 7pm.
26. Factories and construction sites to continue working under strict SOPs. Enforce working in shifts.
27. Curfew will remain from 9pm to 5:30 am.
28. Emergencies can be handled in case by case basis. RDCs and Security will handle this.
29. Bodas are allowed to operate up 6pm. Carry only one person.
30. Those who violate the SOPs will be fined a certain amount of money.
31. All these directives take immediate effect.
32. Failure to follow these guidelines will lead to a total lockdown.
33. Major General Rusoke and Dr Musenero would lead a team enforcing the guidelines issued.