The health minister Dr. Ruth Acheng has warned that Markets within the Kampala Metropolitan Area that are not adhering to the social distancing protocol that they will be closed.
While updating the nation on the state of COVID-19 this afternoon Acheng says Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA has been given the mandate to close all markets that are not respecting this rule.
The president during his COVID-19 address on Tuesday advised the people to practice social distancing in the markets and supermarkets by keeping a distance of 4 meters in all directions to the right, left, front and back while operating besides providing handwashing facilities for all.
The president also asked vendors to stay in the markets and not to go back home if they wanted to continue working for 14 days.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on Wednesday issued a notice suspending operation of Kisanjja Section in Kalerwe Market for failure to abide by government guidelines in the wake of Coronavirus (COVID -19).
According to the statement the suspension has been prompted by overcrowding in the market.
Acheng has advised the public to take seriously COVID-19 by listening to the strategy being put in place by the MOH.
”I keep getting messages from several places that people are not practicing social distancing if you have been watching the news of countries like Italy, the USA that has been brought down to their knees because of the disease” Acheng said
She called on the Ministry to be responsible for their health by social distancing and not to push the MOH to limits it cannot manage.
Several Markets around Kampala have been spotted with large crowds.
KCCA has since warned that markets not adhering to the protocol will be shut down.
It also warned the remaining section of Kalerwe Market, the Orange section of Nakasero Market, the Fish section of Busega Market, the section of Kasubi Market near the Kawaala – Kasubi junction and Nakawa market to comply with the guidelines or risk closure
