By Spy Uganda
Kampala: In his 17th address, President Yoweri Museveni has reopened arcades, salons and bodaboda operations after nearly four months in lockdown.
The President made the revelation on Tuesday during a televised state of nation address on COVID-19 Pandemic saying that which ever is being decided by government is initiated by scientists.
Museveni said “We are going to open the salons provided they enforce wearing of masks by clients and face shields by the operators.”
President added that salon operators must ensure that they have Temperature guns, respect social distancing, suspend air conditioning among other SOPs meant to curb the virus.
On Schools President asserted “We shall have to make a tough decision before September concerning the reopening of schools because the third term is supposed to start in September. For now we should concentrate on long distance learning. We are reluctant to declare a dead year because we can get a cure along the way.We shall make an announcement as we watch what’s happening, in the month of August.”
While on the issue of opening arcades, Museveni revealed that there is need to find out what these arcades sell urging traders to support Ugandan manufactured goods not making Uganda a market for Chinese goods.
Summarized Key points from President’s COVID-19 address:
1. A total of 110 arcades will be opened after meeting SOPs. They must have; temperature guns, social distancing, hand washing, no people in corridors (bikuubo), no traders on verandas, keep records of buyers/clients, no air conditioning, everybody put on masks, enough toilets.
2. Salons to open immediately but ensure masks for everybody, face shields for barbers/salonists, temperature guns.
3. Boda bodas will resume transporting passengers on July 27th. Besides masks, the rider must also have helmet on addition passengers too wear masks. Keep records of clients and also sanitize seats.
4. Curfew now shifted from 1:00pm to 9:00pm, running to 5:30am however Boda bodas will stop operations at 6pm.
5. Churches/mosques not open yet. Inter religious council asked to meet scientists and find the appropriate measures for their opening.
6. On schools, government will make a big decision before September. On private schools, government is assessing options of supporting private school teachers. President Museveni offers Shs2Billion for their Sacco.
7. Borders and Airport stay closed until situation normalizes.
