KAMPALA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Tuesday further eased the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions as the country gradually moves to open up.
President Yoweri Museveni in a televised address said private transport would start operation on May 26 and a maximum of three people all wearing face masks would be allowed in the vehicle.
Museveni said public transport would be open on June 4 and passenger service vehicles would only be allowed to carry passengers up to half of their capacities as the country continues to implement social distancing measures. All passengers are expected to be wearing face masks.
He said that public and private transportations would still not be allowed in the border districts as the country moves to block the importation of new cases of the pandemic.
"For border districts, we shall not allow public or private transport. They are on the frontline," said Museveni.
The president said shops, hotels and restaurants would resume operations on May 26 instead of June 4 as earlier planned. These will all operate with strict observation of social distancing guidelines.
"You can use this one week to prepare, including getting a standard face mask. Health ministry will give specifications on masks," said Museveni.
The president said education institutions will open on June 4 with only qualified classes allowed to receive students.
Museveni's address came only a day after he said that a phased opening up would start on June 2, after the public is given free face masks by government. In the Tuesday address he said that people can buy masks that have the specifications as stated by the Ministry of Health.
Other measures like closure of border entry points to travelers, night curfew, a ban on public gathering among others still remain in place.
Uganda currently has 248 cases of COVID-19 and the country has reported no death, according to the Ministry of Health. Enditem
