Entebbe Airport was shut to all passengers both entering and exiting Uganda on March 22nd 2020 and just after 5 months it has reopened again. The President of Uganda announced that the airport will open from the 01st October 2020
The Travel and Tourism fraternity in Uganda has been eagerly waiting this announcement having missed out on the 2020 Summer Season. The opening of the airport will allow tourism to attempt to salvage what is left of 2020 and begin to plan in earnest for 2021 with a degree of certainty.
The President of Uganda made the speech on 20th September 2020, updating Uganda on further easing of lockdown and stated:
"The International Airport and Land borders will now be opened for tourists, coming in and going out, provided they tested negative 72 hours before arrival in Uganda and provided the tour operators ensure that the tourists do not mix with the Ugandans. How will this be done? The tourists will be driven straight from the Airport to their destinations or to designated transit hotels that are set aside for that purpose. Business delegations should also be handled in the same way by the Local Partners. The returning Ugandans, who have negative PCR results, will be allowed to go home. The Ministry of Health will only get their addresses for follow up. Restrictions on movements on border districts are hereby lifted. Curfew, from 2100 hours (9 p.m.) to 6 a.m., will be maintained; but for the boda bodas, their movements must always end at 1800 hours (6 p.m)."
As soon as further details are made available they will be shared with you all.
Savannah National Parks in Uganda have been open to domestic tourists from the 20th of June with Primate Parks being open from the 03rd September. All activities with in the National Parks will be governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority Standard operating procedures. There are also specific SOPs for Tour Operators and Lodges.
The opening of the airport is a good move forward for the Travel and Tourism sector and it is up to us to make sure that we strictly follow guides and SOPs to ensure that progress continues and we don't have to take a backward step.
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