The National Task Force on Coronavirus has recommended the reopening of Entebbe International Airport to commercial and other flights even as the country continues to battle rising Covid-19 community infections.
This website has exclusively learnt that in its meeting on Tuesday, members of the task force discussed and approved a number of standard operating procedures developed by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) that will be followed by travellers.
Some of the measures approved by the task force require all travellers to arrive early at the Entebbe Airport, wear face coverings at all times, maintain social distancing, handwashing or use of sanitisers and must go through a protracted slow check-in process.
Others include installation of automated sanitiser at strategic points, marks at the airport to ensure social distancing, acquire temperature guns, three ultra-modern scans, which detect temperature at a 30-metre distance.
A source said in their report, they will recommend that all these be put in the waiting lounge and rooms of Very Important Persons (VIPs).
The National Task force has also been tasked to review the status of other remaining sectors such as churches, weekly markets, the tourism sector and Entebbe International Airport.
The review will also include the status of the entertainment industry such as bars, cinemas, nightclubs and sports events among others.
President Museveni is expected to address the country on the issues discussed by the national taskforce.
Relatedly, Museveni has authorized institutions to reopen for final year students pursuing Health Related courses, Campus exclusively reports.
The Executive Director of NCHE Professor Mary Okwakol in a letter to all the Vice Chancellors and Principals said; “I am pleased to inform you that HE the President has approved the reopening of institutions with final year students undertaking Health Related training. This is to enable the students complete their studies so as to fill the Human Resource gap the Health sector would likely face,”
The National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) has further released guidelines ahead of the reopening of these institutions on September 28th.
The group of finalists authorized to resume classes include finalist students undertaking training at a bachelor level in Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery, Nursing, Midwifery, Dental Surgery, Pharmacy and Allied Medical Professionals.
Finalist Postgraduate students on health related programmers have also been cleared to resume classes.
Finalists undertaking training at diploma level and postgraduate students ( doctors, nurses and midwives) who are qualified and are already health practitioners have also been cleared to resume.
Students pursuing diploma programmed in any health related discipline have also been allowed to resume school.