Cabinet approves response, recommendations made for phase IV of COVID-19 pandemic

All travelers arriving at Entebbe International Airport must have a negative COVID-19 test on arrival (72 hours). Those who present with symptoms without a test result, a sample will be collected upon arrival and the individual asked to quarantine at their cost until results return.

This is one of the approved response interventions and recommendations made for phase IV of the COVID-19 pandemic as recommended by the Health Ministry and the National task force. These were approved by cabinet that sat on Monday.

Airlines are responsible for ensuring that all passengers on their flights are tested prior to travelling, and this means that travelers will not be subjected to institutionalized quarantine. However, they will be given guidance on the recommended procedures for self-quarantine where needed and for infection prevention.

“Testing for any of the recent travelers would be symptom based, in the event that they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Contacts will be advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and tested if symptomatic. Contacts who are in the high-risk category will be prioritized for testing to ensure early diagnosis and management.”

Meanwhile, self-isolation and self-management under well-defined SOPs and clear referral pathways will be instituted for the asymptomatic non-high-risk individuals. Also, health facility-based isolation and care will be preserved for moderately, severely and critically ill case-patients.

According to the recommendations, consideration will be made for auxiliary non-health-facility based isolation and management of mild cases especially among the high-risk categories. Adjustments will be made to the duration of hospitalization/institutional care based on the time and symptom based discharge criteria spelt out in case management SOPs.