Uganda Airlines indefinitely suspends operations after Coronavirus outbreak
Uganda Airlines has suspended all it’s operations indefinitely following the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID -19) in Uganda.
According to a report that was released yesterday from Uganda airlines, suspending operations were aimed at ensuring the safety of all customers, staff and the public at large after Coronavirus was confirmed in Uganda.
“This is in the interest of ensuring the safety of our customers, staff and the public, ” read the statement adding that the decision was also made in compliance with the rapidly evolving travel restrictions and the various national and international obligations in the global fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, the Uganda airlines organizers were first to call off specific flights to high-risk countries around Africa including flights to Mombasa, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar and Somalia.
“Flight no UR206/207 (Afternoon) (to Nairobi) and Flight no. UR20/521 EBBMGQEBB (Mogadishu) was called off until further notice,” a statement from the airlines read last week.
However, from now the airlines will not be expected to make any trips until the deadly coronavirus is put to rest.
This has been done in response to President Museveni’s directives to comply with health and safety guidelines, operational and regulatory requirements in a bid to limit the spread of COVID -19.
Uganda confirmed it’s the first case of COVID -19 over the weekend. The victim, a 36-year-old businessman was reported to have travelled back into the country from Dubai aboard Ethiopian Airlines.
Following the shocking news, President Museveni addressed the country on Sunday 22nd to among others discuss how the country is prepared to deal with the virus outbreak.
As a result, Museveni issued a directive to have all borders including the international Airport locked amidst worries that more infected people might get access into the country which might lead to further spreading of the virus in the country.
Museveni who was addressing the nation for the third time in 12 days advised Ugandans to consider minimizing the use of public transport.
Museveni further called on people who move without justifiable reasons to suspend them and stay home to limit their chances of contracting the virus.
As of Sunday 22nd, coronavirus deaths had soared across Europe and the United States with the tally jumping to more than 14,700, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker.
Ministry of Health updates
On Saturday, the Health Minister, Dr.Jane Ruth Aceng highlighted that a total of 1827 travellers including Ugandans had been quarantined over the coronavirus pandemic.
She said a many of these people were coming from high-risk countries and for purposes of follow up they had to be isolated for more checkups.
“To date, a total of 1827 travellers including Ugandans and others travelling back home have been identified as coming from high-risk countries for purposes of follow-up. About 827 are completing self-quarantine while about 1000 are under quarantine,” Aceng revealed on Saturday.
