Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng yesterday evening announced the reopening of gyms, massage parlors, casinos and gaming centers effective Saturday November 14.
Additionally, Aceng said they have decided to increase the number of people attending political rallies, processions, weddings, meetings from 70 to not more than 200 people. She said this must be accompanied by strict physical distancing of 2 meters, hand hygiene and wearing a face mask when in public.
According to the minister, the decision was made following considerable compliance of the SOPs in most schools and places of worship, and from the ongoing epidemiological assessments of the outbreak, they have not seen associated increase of transmission related to this.
“Considering the phase of the epidemic Uganda is in, with rising cases and deaths in urban areas, suspension on bars and discotheques will continue,” Aceng said.
The Ministry of Health will re-evaluate these activities in due course. In the interim, the owners are advised to explore other businesses like restaurants attached to their premises, which are safer.
“I would like to appeal to the general population to adhere to the preventive measures instituted by H.E the President and the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Ministry of Health in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Uganda,” Aceng said.
To date, Uganda has 14,574 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 as 171 new cases were reported yesterday. The total COVID-19 deaths are now 133 while recoveries stand at 7771.