UN G77 Summit Cancelled – Coronavirus Uganda
UN G77 Summit Cancelled: Amidst the threats of the Coronavirus that has horribly hit the globe with over 111,351 cases registered since the outbreak, 3,882 deaths and 44,808 currently infected with the virus and the virus is said to still be spreading. In an effort to contain the virus and then abate it, some cities have gone on lockdown to prevent further spread of the disease and several countries issuing and implementing precautions to stop the virus from spreading or entering the countries’ bounds.
WHO as it continues to fight the disease and its spread has declared an international health emergency and has urged each country to implement and abide by the provided preventive measures to reduce the spread and chances of occurrences of the disease.
Uganda in a bid to keep its nationals and the international community safe, has put in place some measures in line with WHO guidelines, that all citizens and persons living and travelling to the country should follow to keep themselves and others safe from the virus.
Uganda through the ministry of health has announced the cancellation of several international conferences that had been planned to happen over the coronavirus outbreak period with one of the biggest international conferences affected being the United Nations G77 Summit that would have taken place at Speke Resort Munyonyo between the 16th – 19th April. This conference was expected to have about 300 delegates or more from over 136 states, that would have graced the country to discuss issues concerning economic growth and development as well tour the country to boost the country’s tourism sector.
Though Uganda doesn’t have any confirmed cases the government like other governments across the world is taking the necessary precautions to protect the nation from getting the virus, which will not only affect the nation’s people but also the international community of business people, tourists, field specialists among others that call the home or have a significant part of their life in the country or want to visit the country to experience the country’s diverse safaris and tourism.
This deadly virus that has spread to over 20 countries across Asia, Europe and North America, presents as the flu and cold with coughing, breathing complications and fevers. There are a few other individual symptoms that may not occur in all cases and in some cases however the person with the virus may not show signs or symptoms.
The coronavirus is spread from person to person thorough contact or through the air; and so the best preventive measures are handwashing with soap, hand sanitising and wearing masks especially if your feel exposed to a coronavirus case.
In Africa so far that countries that have been affected include Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Cameroon. Well as Egypt has had one death, None of the other countries has confirmed a death but has confirmed to have positive cases that are being treated in the countries’ health facilities.
Together with the cancellation of the international conferences, Uganda has also banned some travels to and from the country. Ugandans wishing to travel to the countries affected by the virus will now have restrictions and only be allowed to travel to those countries if the reason for travel is really crucial otherwise they are advised to postpone their travels to later dates or rather dates after the coronavirus has been contained.
These restrictions also apply to nationals or residents returning to the country and those persons visiting the country for different reasons.
The main restrictions include 14 Day self-quarantine for all persons coming into the country especially those coming to the country from the affected regions and countries. This quarantine will help determine whether the traveller has the virus or not, from either development of signs and symptoms or not.
Other measures for persons coming into the country will include, screening at the airport or point of entry, hand sanitising and wearing a face mask.
There will also be close monitoring on persons travelling from the affected countries especially China, Italy, USA, India, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium and others.
These travel bans have also been backed by Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) as it has also further issued travel guidelines to tourists and tour companies hosting tourists that they are required to abide by as they organise for safaris in the country especially during this coronavirus outbreak season.
Though these guidelines have been issued to all tourists, the Uganda Tourism Board has emphasised they should be applied especially for tourists coming from the affected countries like China, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and Iran among other.
Tourists from Coronavirus hit countries have been also been asked to consider postponing their trips or safaris to later dates, possibly when the coronavirus has been contained and is no longer a threat.
Further still, all facilities and companies in the tourism sector in the country have been advised to follow the provided guidelines by the ministry of health, to join in the efforts to keep the nation and people safe from the deadly virus.
The guidelines include but not limited to providing handwashing facilities with soap and sanitizer in travel vehicles and at the different tourism premises – lodges, parks etc. Have and provide medically recommended masks for the staff and clients as they educate and continually inform their staff and clients about the burden of the coronavirus and the preventive measures, discourage the shaking of hands and giving hugs and if any of the clients or staff present with signs and symptoms that are associated with Coronavirus they should be quarantined immediately, seek medical attention as well as inform the health authorities with the region for further medical guidance.
