Kabuye Kyofatogaby, the Minister of State for Kampala, says Kikuubo and shopping arcades will remain closed for some time despite a presidential directive to open.
The Minister of State for Kampala, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, has urged city traders (Kikuubo and shopping arcades) to delay reopening on Monday until they have properly inspected their workplaces to ensure they meet the Covid-19 requirements.
While addressing journalists on Saturday at the Uganda Media Center, Minister Kyofatogabye particularly said arcades that usually congest very many people should wait until measures are taken to ensure the standard guidelines including social distance are maximumly obeyed.
He said government officials will need close to one week to ensure the environment for reopening is not only clean but also very safe for reopening with strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures.
“On 2nd August, which is Monday, do not come to Kikuubo, and I by this mean all the arcades around, including Nabugabo, Luwum street, Ben Kiwanuka and the other arcardes around.We do not want you to get into trouble with enforcement team, arcades can only operate when we have certified ourselves that all is okay,” Minister Kyofatogabye told building owners.
This, however, comes at a time when President Museveni Friday while lifting the lockdown on a section of activities across the country said Kikuubo and other shopping arcades should resume work on Monday.
The president, however, in particular, indicated that Kikuubo should reopen with kiosks and roadside vending not allowed so as to deter the population from congesting in pathways.
The president who was announcing new guidelines for the partial lockdown also issued a directive to Boda bodas to resume operations but carrying only one passenger and that they should stop moving at 6 pm.
For private vehicles, he said these should also resume but with only a maximum of three people. Cargo trucks, he said these will be allowed to move with only two people on board.
“Partial opening up will see an increased number of infections in the first week since everyone will be coming out after the lockdown but this would later reduce. It is therefore good to ensure observance of SOPs in the partial lockdown. Based on scientists’ advice, I now revise my directives,” Museveni said.
“Therefore, curfew is maintained at 7 pm and all persons except security and those cleared to move at night should be in their homes. Public Transport will open with 50% passenger capacity. Food markets to remain open and conferences and seminars are still barred,” he added.
On schools, he said these will remain closed until learners and their teachers are fully vaccinated. “If you don’t observe that and you think you are clever you may get problems and also cause us problems. If these measures are taken, we may avoid the third wave. Maybe we will have vaccinated and got the cure that we are testing.”
