As the entire world continues to grapple with COVID-19 – a global pandemic that brought to a standstill International Air travel as Countries all over the World sealed off their borders and airports since March this year after Coronavirus surfaced everywhere in the world having started in the Chinese City of Wuhan late December 2019, and then spread to other parts of the globe with immediate neighbours being United States of America, Europe, Asia, Island Countries and Africa. Most Airlines cancelled passenger flights aligned in the due course, grounded some of their fleet and only a few aircraft were left for Cargo operations and repatriation flights by respective countries who wanted their nationals back home though repatriation in Uganda for foreign citizens wasn’t yet allowed .
As a result, on March 19 when Uganda went on a Lockdown that called off all forms of transport and closed off borders, most citizens from other countries that were pending travel got stuck as they were asked to hold till the situation calms abit and among them included some citizens of the United States of America who were in the process of traveling back to the states during the same period.
During the recent Presidential address on June 1, when President Museveni continued to lift on almost a 2 and a half months long Lockdown, public transport was eased for Road transport users amid total observance of Standards Of Procedures (SOPs) such as compulsory sanitizing, social distancing and wearing of masks in public and upon boarding any car and private cars were also allowed back on road but with a minimum of three passengers and transport on border districts remained closed as well as the Airport was still to be remained closed except for Cargo while discussions on passenger repatriation was still in place with Cabinet ministers.
However, the U.S Embassy in Uganda has always been requesting for a repatriation flight for some of its nationals who have opted to travel back home not forgetting those that were pending travel. And as a result following the months long plea, the request was accepted according to a travel advisory released by the Embassy on Friday June 05th and thus, the United States Embassy in Uganda together with Satguru Travel are arranging a flight out of Entebbe International Airport scheduled for Tuesday, June 16.
The government of Uganda is considering the U.S. Embassy’s request to allow this flight to happen while the airport remains closed.
Ethiopian Airlines will operate the flight, which will take passengers to Addis Ababa in time to connect with onward Ethiopian Airlines flights to the United States. Interested travelers can work with Satguru Travel to arrange a final destination in the United States.
Those interested in departing Uganda are advised to consider booking this flight immediately via Contact Sameer at reservations.kla@satgurutravel.com (+256-750-550-060) or Susanta at susanta.kapal@satgurutravel.com (+256-753-119-944).
Furthermore, travelers willing to be part of the flight should bear in mind that, there are no free repatriation flights for U.S. citizens as this is in accordance to the United States of America law and hence departure assistance to U.S. citizens must be provided on a reimbursable basis. The Embassy also clarifies that it has no plans to charter an evacuation flight out of Uganda but if it’s to do so, the U.S. Embassy would require passengers to sign a promissory note for the loan and reimburse the U.S. government for the cost of the flight.
The Embassy adds, ‘’those willing to be part of the Tuesday June 16 flight should verify that their passports and other documentation are current and valid for at least six months from Friday June 05 notice issuance’’ .
For emergency American Citizen Services, including emergency passports, visit website.
It should be recalled that, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced an extension on the waiver of fines accruing from a visa overstay until at least June 9. Foreign residents and visitors with expired immigration statuses can freely access services in the country without threat of being arrested.
Lastly, there are 557 confirmed cases of COVID-19 currently being reported in Uganda according to the Ministry of Health.
Also check out https://bit.ly/3eOFAoy
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