The government has issued strict guidelines as the country moves towards the full resumption of the economy.
Last week while speaking to New Vision Newspaper in an exclusive interview, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni maintained that bars, concerts, and other performing arts shall be reopened by this week.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the ICT and the National Guidance Minister on Monday said the government is ready to fully reopen the economy but with strict adherence to COVID-19 standard operating procedures.
‘What the President said still stands. We expect the other areas that were still locked to open up today except for the boda-bodas that have to maintain the curfew from 7:00 pm to 5:30 am,’ said the ICT minister.
Hon. Minister Chris Baryomunsi reiterated the President’s remarks on the curfew imposed on Boda Bodas.
“The curfew for the Boda Bodas is both a COVID-19 related and a security issue. The Boda Boda riders should take heart. We are going to sit and discuss this with the scientists and guide on this issue,” The Minister said.
Minister Chris Baryomunsi also stated that full reopening means that religious places have no restrictions on the number of people, but we expect the religious leaders to observe the measures to overcome the challenge of COVID-19.
‘The President said that should the situation get out of hand; we shall go back to having the restrictions. I expect us all to be responsible,” He stated.
He said that the responsibility of the bars will depend on the owners but they should ensure social distancing and that the people who come to these bars have masks.
“If some people are getting drunk, they should be advised to start their journey home. We shall do inspections and may close places not following the COVID-19 guidelines. For concerts, the organizers should not let in numbers that will overwhelm the place. Let’s not be excited that we are fully reopened but ensure that people are following the SOPs,” He noted.
Minister Chris Baryomunsi continued to say that the reason the economy was being opened up is to revive the economy.
According to the Minister, opening the spaces that have been under restriction is one aspect of trying to revive the economy adding that the government is committed to putting Ugandans who were in the subsistence economy to join the money economy.
Hon. Baryomunsi also reminded the citizens that the 36th NRM Liberation Day Anniversary is this Wednesday at Kololo.
‘We shall have slightly above 500 guests. We gave cause to celebrate because 36 years of NRM has transformed Uganda in many ways. We look forward to celebrating 100 years or 200 years and more of NRM leadership in Uganda,’ informed Hon. Baryomunsi.
Citizens are encouraged to stay vigilant and observe the SOPs to avoid another possible lockdown.
