KAMPALA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan police on Wednesday started enforcing the mandatory wearing of face masks while outdoors, as one of the measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patrick Onyango, Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that people are not allowed to enter the central business district without wearing masks.
"We have started enforcing the order that people who are out in the public must wear masks. As for those heading to the city, we are asking them to have the masks before they can proceed," Onyango said.
He said businesses that were allowed to operate must ensure that people who work there are wearing face masks.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday announced the mandatory wearing of face masks, as he extended the lockdown for 14 days, while easing some of the imposed 35 restrictions.
"We are going to make it mandatory for everybody who is not in his/her house to wear a cloth face mask," Museveni said.
The president allowed wholesalers, hardware shops and warehouses to start operating, as well as workshops, metal and woodwork shops. He emphasized that they must observe social distancing and other guidelines issued by the health ministry to fight the virus.
Uganda has so far confirmed 98 cases of COVID-19 with 55 recoveries since the outbreak was announced on March 21. Enditem
