The Minister of Kampala Capital City (KCCA) Betty Among has revealed that 58 shopping risk closure for failure to observe standard operating procedures (SOPs) peddled at curbing the spread of covid-19.
Speaking at the Media Centre, the minister said arcades remain high-risk areas due to noncompliance to simple preventive measures.
The arcades include; Nabukeera Plaza, Jesco beauty center, Sun City arched, Tropical complex, Namayiba plaza, Nasser Nkrumah plaza, New Tax Park mall, farmers mall, Total Business center among other arcades.
She said KCCA Public Health Directorate has issued notices to the non-compliant arcades to ensure full compliance to the SOPs within 7 days after which stern sanctions shall be imposed upon them.”
“Kampala is tasked by the National COVID 19 task force to manage the COVID situation in the city through our public health department of KCCA.” She said
The cumulative number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Uganda as of yesterday 20th August 2020 was 1,750. Of these, Kampala has 394 COVID-19 infections accounting for 22.5%. In just the last 11 days, Kampala has registered 175 cases out of which 116 (66.3%) are alerts, 46(26.3%) are contacts, 9 (5.1%) health workers and 4(2.3%) returnees.
She said most markets have stopped hand washing and some have disconnected washing facilities installed for free by KCCA to help compliance with hand washing. “Our team shall start market inspections and if you are found with water diverted to your premises, you will be arrested and charged as per the public health Act.” She said
She expressed concern over a number of people not seeking medical help when showing COVID 19 symptoms. This delayed access of medical help has led to some being confirmed to have the disease after death. This poses a risk to relatives who participate in the burials.