According to information reaching our travel desk at Guide2uganda from the Covid-19 National Taskforce led by the Prime Minister of Uganda – Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, discussions to have the Airport resume operations by October 1st 2020, among other sectors of the economy currently on lockdown to reopen saw the team chair a meeting on Monday this week after which recommendations from the Cabinet seating will be sent as a proposal to the Office of the President for review and approval.
What’s the Presidents’ view?
When His Excellency General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was chairing the National Prayer Day on Saturday, August 22nd 2020 at State House In Entebbe, he mentioned of seeing businesses and service institutions currently under lockdown reopen but, scientific procedures to see them operate without aiding the increased spread of the killer Covid-19 were being discussed upon by the Covid-19 National Taskforce with guidance from health experts/scientists since such institutions attract multitudes of people at a time. Institutions still under lockdown consist; Places of Worship, Nightclubs, Gymnastics, Bars, Schools at all levels of learning, Border Entry points and Entebbe International Airport. Therefore after the Proposal is submitted to State House and approved, the President can therefore address the Nation on their reopening.
What does Civil Aviation Authority Say about reopening Entebbe Airport..
According to the Public Relations Officer for Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Mr. Vianny M. Luggya, plans to resume flight operations are underway though pronouncement is to be done by appropriate Authorities who at this is Government Of Uganda.
However, when the Airport is approved for reopening there will be Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to mandatorily be followed by all guests and daily users of the premise including small scale business operators inside the Airport.
Mr. Vianny said that; “ As a way to contain the virus spread at the Airport as travelers transiting through from the different parts of the globe will be accessing through the Airport, there’s a designated arrival port health terminal that is currently set up for Covid-19 PCR tests before passengers are allowed to proceed to their final destinations, those that test positive for Covid-19 will immediately be evacuated to Entebbe grade B hospital for treatment and only discharged after they fully recover”
He adds that; “Passengers will be subjected to follow a 1.5 to 2 metre social distance from each other, wear face masks or glass facial shields, sanitizing of hands using an alcohol based sanitizer at all times, among other SOPs that Government will direct to be done while at the Airport premises”
He further revealed that, the Airports’ plans to remove repatriation flights are underway while it officially fully resumes commercial flight operations. Additionally, Airport operations during Covid-19 will see Passengers’ bags and all luggage disinfected thoroughly before allowed to proceed to their final destination.
Will Religious Places Of Worship And Other Institutions Reopen Soon?
Yes, according to a source that took part in the Cabinet meeting on Monday this week , Places of Worship including Churches , Mosques ,and temples are proposed to reopen but congregation to be at almost half capacity, in this case only 70 people are said to be allowed in for prayer at a particular day. However, they will be entitled to follow directives and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be issued to them by Government
On the other side, efforts to have Schools, Bars and Nightclubs plus border entry points are still underway and part of the proposal, if approved, they will then be considered to reopen.
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