The president also allowed for the reopening of schools for candidate classes; P7, S4, S6 and finalists in tertiary institutions and universities. He said however, there will not be end-of-term one exams. “The rest of the learners should be patient. it’s better to be alive,” Museveni said.
The government
is going to provide free reusable masks to all Ugandans aged six years and above as a precondition for lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Speaking
this evening at the State Lodge in Nakasero, President Yoweri Museveni said mask-wearing is
now the new front to fight the disease.
“The masks must be worn all the time you’re in public…This is the new point of emphasis,” Museveni said and added that since many
people were expressing concern that they can’t afford to buy these masks, the government has decided to
provide these masks to all Ugandans of six years and above.
The masks will be distributed through the Local government system; from the District, down to the villages over the next 2-weeks, until June 2.
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Meanwhile, the president also relaxed on the
restrictions on some of the businesses. For example, he allowed shops selling
general merchandise to operate, provided they are not in malls, food markets or arcades.
He emphasized that in the immediate future, those
selling nonfood items will not be allowed for as long as the virus still poses
a threat and before a vaccine is got. He said that vendors who have been
sleeping in markets can now commute daily from their homes.
However, public transport, Museveni will be
allowed to resume provided buses, taxis, and buses carry half their normal capacity
to avoid overcrowding. But these will have to wait for two weeks until June 2, when the distribution of masks across the country has been effected.
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However, the restriction on public transport will continue for another 21 days in all border districts with Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda among others.
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But taxi brokers and touts should
start thinking of other jobs as the President said moving forward, he doesn’t want
to ‘hear noise makers.’ Bodaboda and tuk-tuk riders also have to wait for another 21 days before they can carry passengers because according
to Museveni, it’s hard to space between the rider and the passenger.
Private cars are also free to move with a
maximum of three people the driver inclusive, provided that they too have face
masks.
The president also allowed for the reopening of
schools for candidate classes; P7, S4, S6 and finalists in tertiary
institutions and universities. He said however, there will not be end-of-term one exams. “The rest of the learners should be patient. it’s
better to be alive,” Museveni said.
Hotels and food restaurant can also open as long as
there is social distancing and don’t have air conditioning.
For bars, night clubs, saloons, gyms, swimming
pools, saunas, arcades, shopping malls among others, will not be allowed
to reopen since it’s hard to enforce social distancing rules.
The air, land and water borders will remain closed
so that no new additional cases are imported, according to the president.
The 7 PM to 6:30 am curfew was also left intact for
another 21 days as well as other restrictions outside those that he explicitly mentioned.
