Ministry of Health Eases COVID-19 Restrictions

Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng in a presser this afternoon eased the COVID-19 restrictions that were still in place.

Fully vaccinated individuals will NOT be required to wear face masks when they are outdoors provided there are NO crowds,” Jane Ruth Aceng.

Aceng says only the people the vulnerable or high risk population should wear face masks. Restrictions at the airport has also been eased.

Travellers below 5 years are not required to present a negative PCR test upon arrival or departure.

All in-bound and outbound travellers will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, except for travellers aged 5 years and below.

Requirement for negative PCR test done within 72 hours for all outbound travellers is also suspended with immediate effect for those who are fully vaccinated, except where it is a requirement of the destination country, or the carrier airline.

The Requirement for negative PCR test done within 72 hours pre-boarding for all incoming travellers is suspended with immediate effect for those who are fully vaccinated.

The Ministry of Health has advised all those that have not yet vaccinated to get the vaccine as they also embark on vaccination of secondary students. According to the ministry we have to be alert despite the success.

To-date, the country has registered 164,118 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,596 deaths. Currently, we have two severely ill patients on admission at Mulago Hospital  and St. Mary’s Hospital, Lacor. Both patients are not vaccinated.

To-date, 15,268,403 people have received the 1st dose of any COVID-19 vaccine accounting for 71% of the target population of 22 million people. While 10,250,742 people are fully vaccinated accounting for 48% of the target population of 59,542 people have received their booster dose.

A breakdown of the vaccination coverage for the first dose among priority vulnerable populations shows good progress with following statistics (health workers – 127.7%; teachers – 90.2%; and the elderly – 80.3%)