East Africa countries continue to register a surge in the number of people affected by coronavirus as the pandemic continues to cause havoc across the globe.
Besides Kenya, across the border, Uganda registered its first case on Sunday, while the number of those infected in Rwanda and Ethiopia have already hit the double-digit figure.
As at last Wednesday, the figures in Rwanda stood at 17, Ethiopia 11, and Tanzania six cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Tanzania held a national prayer day in the face of coronavirus Sunday and Uganda on Saturday.
Besides seeking divine intervention, the East Africa countries in their individual capacities have also outlined various measures to ensure the virus is kept at bay and numbers of those affected remain low.
After registering its first case, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni announced that starting Monday, no person will be allowed to enter the country.
“We have decided to prohibit all passenger planes coming from outside Uganda from landing at any of the airports in the country. Only cargo planes will be allowed to fly in and out,” President Museveni said in a televised address to the nation aired on NTV-Uganda.
The patient in Uganda is a 36-year-old Ugandan male, who arrived from Dubai on Saturday aboard Ethiopian airline. It is reported he left Uganda on March 17 to Dubai for business.
Further, President Museveni ordered that no Ugandan or foreign national be allowed to enter the country through its land or sea entry ports, except for cargo truck drivers whose crew members should not exceed three people.
Still, in Uganda, Police has issued new directives that will be followed by public service transport operators in order to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country. Under the new orders, commuter taxis that have been carrying 14 passengers, are now supposed to carry a maximum of nine commuters.
This means that only two passengers are supposed to occupy one seat. Normally, one seat would be occupied by three passengers.
The measures have sparked fears that operators of public service vans might increase transport fares, to recover the money they have been earning while carrying the usual number of passengers. That would be a big blow to commuters who have already been hit by economic challenges emanating from closure of several businesses to stem the spread of Coronavirus,
In Rwanda, the government, on Saturday, outlined strict measures to contain the spread of the virus including a two-week total lockdown that only excludes emergency services.
Earlier measures include closure of all schools and religious institutions. It also banned social gatherings such as weddings and parties.
Rwandan Prime Minister Ngirente Edouard said local government institutions and security organs have been tasked with ensuring the outlined measures are adhered to.
“Heightened vigilance, discipline and co-operation are required from all of us in the weeks ahead. Let us work together to rein in this virus,” he said.
Globally Covid-19 has infected 308,609 people and led to at least 13,000 deaths, with Europe being the worst affected. African numbers have surpassed 1,000.
