The Uganda government has announced a temporary suspension of all public transport to and from the Democratic Republic of Congo for four weeks.
The announcement was made during a meeting of the National Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease convened by Vice-President Jessica Alupo on Thursday.
Im the resolutions communicated by Diana Atwine, permanent secretary to the country’s ministry of health, after the meeting, the government ordered “temporary suspension of public passenger sevice on ferries on the Semliki River, cross-border bus transport and all public transport between DRC and Uganda for four weeks, except goods and food transport”.
The government also announced temporary suspension of all flights to and from the DRC to Uganda which is expected to effect within 48 hours.
It, however, allowed essential movement of population across borders for people originating from the DRC limiting it to gazetted and designated crossing points.
The government urged the public to remain vigilant, adhere to all health guidance and promptly report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.
Uganda had confirmed two imported cases involving Congolese nationals who arrived from the DRC and were exposed to the virus.
“One fatality has been recorded, and one patient remains under care. She is recovering steadily and is currently out of danger,” the health ministry disclosed on Thursday.
