Prior to Presidential State of the Nation address about the COVID-19 Pandemic in the country, many sports activities have been put on hold due to upsurge of the virus.
Many thought that the president will announce a total lockdown and the football circles have been uttering that Express FC might win the Uganda Premier League trophy of 2020/21 season like it was to Vipers Sports Club when they won the title prematurely in the first phase of lockdown.
For starters, Express FC currently tops the table with 58 points with four games to call it a season.
Now it’s confirmed, the league will not end prematurely like it was last season, and the race is still on between Express FC, URA FC and Vipers SC.
Tonight, the President of the country, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed the nation, gave updates on the Pandemic and announced the new guidelines the country should follow to curb the upsurge of the pandemic.
In his speech, President revealed that sports activities should continue but with no Spectors and should follow the SOPs.
“Bars, discos, music shows, cinemas, and concerts remain closed. Sports events will continue with strict observance of SOPs without spectators.” Said President
This means the Uganda Premier League and Stanbic Uganda Cup will continue to the end.
Into other activities that were banned for 42 days is the services, schools were closed, Bars, Cinema holds still closed while public transport especially cross border district was banned.
Museveni revealed that Cumulative cases stand at 52929, reported confirmed deaths at 374 and recoveries at 43487. He added that 634 patients are admitted at both public and private facilities. This means that only 8% of the cases confirmed in the last 14 days are on the admission.
Summary of new Imposed Restrictions:
1. All schools to schools for 42 days effective tomorrow 08th.06.2021 by 8am
2. All teachers must be vaccinated before they enter school premises.
3. Communual prayers is banned for 42 days. Online prayers are encouraged.
4. Public or cultural gathering is suspended for 42 days with the exception of cabinet meetings after thorough screening.
5. Travel from category A country is suspended ( India)
6. Agricultural activities to continue because they don’t encourage crowding.
7. Non Agricultural activities allowed to continue are , factories, malls, supermarkets with strict adherence to the MoH guidelines
8. Gathering points such as factories, plantations and taxi parks are allowed to operate with strict SOPs
Marriage ceremonies and other functions are allowed to have only 20 participants
9. House parties are suspended
10. Number of persons at funerals should not exceed 20
11. Monthly and weekly markets are suspended for 42 days
12. All public transport from district to district is suspended for 42 by 10th of June.2021, except btn Kampala and Wakiso
13. Essential and emergency transport is allowed
14. Public transport is allowed within the district.
15. Cargo truck are allowed carry only two people.
16. Bar remain closed.
17. All sports is allowed without spectators, player must-have a PCR test.
18. All public places must adhere to the sops, encourage people to work from home, encourage 30% presence of staff to work at one point
19. Private cars should have only 3 passengers, should only move within the district, inter district is suspended
20. Ambulance are allowed to operate normally
21. Malls should close by 7pm
22. Pharmacy can operate beyond 7pm
22. Food markets should close by 7pm
23. Lodges should operate without bars with strict adherence to the SOPs because drunkards can’t understand sops
24. Curfew remains at 9pm to 5:30am
25.Boda boda to operate until 6pm.
26. All the above directives, take immediate effect