Uganda seizes passports of all travellers from countries with high coronavirus cases

The Ugandan government on Saturday announced that it has started seizing passports of all travellers from countries with high coronavirus cases. 

Minister of State for Primary Health Care Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu in her tweet, said the decision was taken to prevent the spread of the pandemic that has wreaked havoc across the world.

She tweeted; 

We have withheld all passports of travellers from category one countries until completion of the 14 days of mandatory quarantine. We hope this eliminates chances of escape from designated areas. I want to assure you that @MinofHealthUG  is doing all it takes to keep #Uganda safe.

Kaducu further revealed that  Entebbe International Airport was peaceful and orderly on Saturday as travellers were following directives from the Health ministry officials regarding quarantines.

She added; 

“A list of hotel options and telephone numbers have been provided before and on arrival to allow them choose their preferred institutions.”

Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said that there were over 25 categories for several countries by Saturday March 22. 

Aceng said; 

“The category one countries are very fluid; they keep changing. We have criteria that we use to run the affected countries and every Wednesday, we run the countries and put out a list for those travelling. Today they are over 25 category one countries.

“Over 100 samples tested (for COVID-19). All are negative. Samples are run three times to be sure they are negative. Sometimes I ask my teams repeat again just to be sure. They have tested and reaffirmed they are negative.”

Some of the countries in category one include Italy, France, South Korea, China, USA, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Norway, Austria, Malaysia, Pakistani, and San Marino.