By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
The Ministry of Health has announced a ban on travel from India after a deadly Covid19 strain was confirmed in Kampala.
According to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine, patients had returned from India, which is currently facing an upsurge of cases, attributed to the new strain believed to spread faster.
Dr.Diana Atwine said that, the ban takes effect on May 01 midnight.
“No travelers from India shall be allowed into Uganda regardless of the route of travel,” announced Diana Atwine.
“All travelers who may have been in India or travelled through India in the last 14 days regardless of the route taken shall not be allowed into Uganda.”
The ministry has also outlined guidelines for travelers jetting in the country before the suspension date.
“All travelers arriving from India before suspension date regardless of the route of travel are expected to be in possession of a negative PCR COVID 19 test certificate that is digitally verifiable conducted within 120 hours from the time of sample removal.”
The ban will only affect passenger travel, with cargo flight and technical stops where crew do not disembark as well as aircraft in a state of emergency exempted.
Meanwhile, travelers from USA, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, South Africa, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Tanzania have been advised to “consider postponing non-essential travel to Uganda.”
“Category 2 countries which are USA, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, South Africa, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Tanzania are NOT banned from coming into the country,” Said Atwine.
“They will be subjected to PCR COVID-19 test at the Points of Entry including Entebbe International Airport.”
