Uganda issues stringent measures to airlines from countries heavily affected by COVID-19

Uganda's aviation regulatory body has issued stringent guidelines that airlines flying from heavily affected novel coronavirus (COVID-19) countries must follow.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in a latest statement issued here said no foreign passenger from the affected countries would be allowed into the country unless they have valid resident permits. Ugandans returning home would be allowed into the country.

The statement however said foreigners with valid resident permits and returning Ugandans would only be allowed into the country provided they proceed to institutional quarantine as designated by the government. The passengers will have to pay for the 14-day quarantine.

The aviation body said airlines shall ensure that a passenger has prior booking at any of the government designated quarantine areas.

The airlines are also required to provide advance passenger manifests to the relevant health office at the airport.

"All international passengers shall dispose of their masks and gloves after use during travel, at designated collection containers upon arrival," the circular added.

All arriving passengers shall be sprayed for COVID-19 in accordance with the operator's arrangement, the statement said. The aircraft would also be sprayed after all passengers have disembarked.

Uganda has not registered any positive case of COVID-19 despite other east African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo registering some cases.

The countries Uganda considers risky are China, South Korea, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Pakistan, Denmark, Qatar, Czech, Australia, Portugal, Slovenia, Israel, Brazil, Ireland, Iceland, Philippines, Indonesia, Chile, India, Belgium and Iran.

Uganda has since banned all public gatherings and closed learning institutions for a month.