Covid-19: Wearing Of Face Masks Is No Longer A Requirement – Uganda Drops Mandatory Face Mask Wearing
By Uganda Online Media
Kampala: The Minister of Health Dr Ruth Jane Aceng has revealed that in coming fully vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to present a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of pre-boarding.
Aceng made the revelation on Wednesday while addressing journalists at Uganda Media Centre about current COVID-19 situation in the country.
“All inbound and outbound travellers will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, except for travellers aged 5 years and below,” Aceng said.
“Travellers with partial or no vaccination will be required to present a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of travel,” she added.
According to the health minister, fully vaccinated outbound travellers will also not be mandated to present a negative PCR test unless it is required by their destination.
“Requirement for negative PCR test done within 72 hours for all outbound travellers is suspended with immediate effect for those who are fully vaccinated, except where it is a requirement of the destination country or the carrier airline,” the minister said.
She said that to-date, the country has registered 164,118 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,596 deaths.
“Currently, there are two severely ill COVID-19 patients on admission at Mulago National Referral Hospital, and St. Mary’s Hospital, Lacor. It is important to note that both these patients are not vaccinated,” she added.
Meanwhile Aceng further revealed that fully vaccinated individuals will NOT be required to wear face masks when they are outdoors provided there are NO crowds.
Aceng noted that “Wearing of face masks when one is indoors or in closed spaces like public transport, shops, schools and offices etc where 2 meters distancing can’t be observed with other individuals, is required whether one is vaccinated or not
The vulnerable or high-risk population . i.e. elderly aged 50 years and above and people living with co-morbidities irrespective of age are advised to wear a face mask at all times whether they are vaccinated or not”.
So far 15,268,403 people have received the 1st dose of any COVID-19 vaccine accounting for 71% of the target population of 22 million people. While 10,250,742 people are fully vaccinated accounting for 48% of the target population.
59,542 people have received their booster dose.
“The Ministry will embark on vaccination of secondary school children to protect them from severe COVID-19 on 9 May 2022. The Pfizer vaccine will be deployed to vaccinate this age group. Pfizer is a two dose vaccine, administered 4 weeks apart,” she said.
