NPA calls for strengthening border restrictions to curb COVID-19

The  National Planning Authority (NPA) on Tuesday called for increased border restrictions amid high numbers of COVID-19 cases in neighboring countries.

 

"It is thus important to note that the immediate neighboring countries have a higher number of cases and they are increasing. There is need to strengthen the cross-border movement restrictions and testing at the border," the planning authority said.

 

The authority predicted that for the week ending Aug. 28, Uganda will have an average of 169 cases per day and a weekly total of 1,184 cases. For the week ending Sept. 4, the cases will go up to 190 cases reported per day and a weekly average of 1,328 cases.

 

The increase, according to NPA, is attributed to the easing of the lockdown restrictions. The number of cases is likely to go higher depending on adherence to the prevention measures.

 

The Ministry of health on Aug. 20 warned that the country is likely to face a more lethal third wave of the pandemic if the prevention measures are not adhered to.

Uganda is in the process of acquiring 45million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to vaccinate over 27 million Ugandans a move that will help the country to return to normality