Authorities at National Medical Stores (NMS) have banned all its non-vaccinated staff members and visitors from excessing the premises.
According to NMS, directive to staff takes effect immediately, while the notice to visitors comes into effect on Monday and this is done as a way of curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and also ensures vaccination of all eligible Ugandans as a condition for full reopening of the economy.
According to officials, one will have to present proof of full vaccination before admission into the NMS premises.
“As a government agency mandated to buy, store and distribute medicines (including Covid-19 vaccines), we are leading by example and ensuring that all our staff and visitors coming to our premises are fully vaccinated to comply with the President’s directive on full COVID-19 vaccination. We, therefore, expect all our staff and visitors to comply with these new measures to avoid any inconveniences,’’ Ms Sheila Nduhukire, the NMS spokesperson, said yesterday during a press conference.
Ms Nduhukire said at the onset of the vaccination exercise, NMS organised vaccination campaigns internally for all staff, casual labourers, cleaners and security guards who consented.
“Management resolved that all individuals who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should present a COVID-19 negative PCR test result taken not more than 72 hours,’’ Ms Nduhukire said.
The Soroti Resident City Commissioner, Mr Peter Pex Paak last month also wrote a notice in his office directing all people who wanted to access him present evidence of vaccination.
“Please, for assistance in the Office of City Resident Commissioner Soroti, there should be an evidence vaccination card. Soft or hard copy. Without the evidence, no entry please,” the notice reads.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health show that Uganda has only vaccinated about 0.9 per cent of the whole population whereas NMS indicates that to date, the government has received 5,690,363 Covid-19 doses, of which 2,378,171 doses have been utilized.