Local and Urban authorities have been tasked with ensuring that presidential guidelines on easing the COVID19 lock down are complied with by all Ugandans.
The minister of Trade Hon. Amelia Kyambadde announced the guidelines reached at by Cabinet during the Monday 25th May 2020 sitting and communicated by President Yoweri Museveni.
According to the new guidelines, general merchandize shops will open for business starting tomorrow Wednesday 27th May 2020, not today as earlier communicated.
The general merchandise shops that are allowed to open include; all non-food items sold by whole sale and retail as long as they are located outside malls and arcades.
However to avoid congestion in the markets, sellers of non-food items shall remain closed.
“Merchandise shops shall have occupancy that ensures social distancing of at least 4 meters within the premises, have a washing point/sanitizers at the facilities and customers should have masks. One customer shall be served at a time” the minister announced.
Also to fully open are agriculture shops including; Food markets, essential wholesale shops such as; veterinary medicine and agricultural inputs.
Hardware shops, metal works, wood works and ware houses also remain open. In the service sector, insurance providers, ICT electronics, Quotas of lawyers permitted to work (30 in number and coordinated by Uganda law society).
Also, restaurants are to maintain take away services, Garages, spare parts outlets and hotels also to continue working.
Cabinet also decided that Public transport remains closed, schools plus other facilities that attract large crowds, Airport and borders stay closed as well as leisure facilities like salons, swimming pools, bars, clubs and gyms among others shall remain closed.
Also, employers have been advised to use branded buses to pick employees. Alternatively, these can drive private cars, walk or cycle to work. Private cars are also allowed a maximum three persons including the driver. They also must wear masks at all times.
Standard operation procedures must also be adhered to in managing all operations and wearing of masks is mandatory effective tomorrow May 27th 2020.