Uganda plans to begin easing a strict lockdown from June 2, in part by reopening schools for learners set to do national examinations this year.
In the meantime, authorities plan to distribute face masks to all citizens that are six years old and above, President Yoweri Museveni said Monday in a televised address from the capital, Kampala. Public transporters will also be allowed to restart operations, but at half their capacity, while shops in buildings that aren't crowded will reopen, Museveni said.
The East African nation's government joins others on the continent in easing restrictions that were introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus before or immediately after confirming their first cases. The measures in some countries have brought economies to their knees and raised the risk of hunger and social distress.
READ: Ghana Says Its Virus Lockdown Became Untenable for Economy
Uganda has enforced restrictions for almost two months to arrest the virus outbreak, prohibiting movement by vehicles except for cargo and essential services. The government closed schools and places of worship, and introduced a nighttime curfew.
Uganda has 260 confirmed Covid-19 cases and no death.
©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
