Coronavirus: Health Ministry issues new guidelines for mass gatherings

Coronavirus screening

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has listed seven items that must be in place for any mass gathering to be allowed to take place in the wake of the increasing threat of COVID-19.

The Ministry says all venues should have first aid kits, toilets or latrines with 1 stance for every 20 participants, hand washing facilities, waste management facilities, adequate ventilation with proper air circulation, health desk with Health workers to monitor the health safety standards and that all venues should have access to evacuation facilities for sick participants like ambulances.

The new guidelines were released yesterday. The Ministry says the guidelines apply to all sporting events, prayer congregations, social and cultural events such as burials and weddings in addition to political events like rallies and national events which Ministry of Health personnel or local authorities must approve before happening.

These come after Uganda was recorded among the countries at high risk of infection of coronavirus, an acute respiratory disease that started in China late December.

However, WHO says that if one hasn’t traveled to an area with a positive case or hasn’t been in contact with an infected person, the risk of infection is low.

But in Uganda, as part of the preparedness efforts since the country has not recorded a positive case, the Ministry of Health recommends that people with flu-like symptoms and who are unwell should stay at home and not be allowed to access premises for mass gatherings.

By the end of last week, a number of public gatherings that especially involved foreigners had been cancelled.

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