Omicron Variant: Scientists ask Museveni to delay full reopening of the economy

Scientists under the National Covid-19 task force have asked President Museveni to extend the full reopening of the economy for another 14 days to avoid the possible risks of increased infections currently driven by the Omicron Covid variant.

The president and Robinah Nabbanja Covid task force on Monday met at his country home in Rwakitura before they presented him with the status report on the Covid-19 situation in the country. This was meant to inform the way forward on the reopening of the economy.

According to the meeting, the scientists told the president that it would be too early for the economy to be reopened in January as he had promised when a small number of the population has been fully vaccinated.

According to sources, the team of experts on the task force recommended that President Museveni should delay reopening for at least two weeks.

The 14 days, argued members of the task force, would allow the government to better study the Omicron variant trends in Uganda before making a final decision on full reopening.

The Health Minister, Dr.Jane Ruth Aceng last week said that only 3.4 million translating into 15% of the targeted 22 million people have been fully vaccinated against Covid whereas 9.1million translating into 44% have taken the first jab.

According to scientists, this is still a small percentage of the targeted population and hence the need for a delay in reopening to allow a sizeable number get fully vaccinated.

The team told the president that it would be disastrous to reopen now when a small number is fully vaccinated and advised that he delays for at least two weeks within which the people will get vaccinated.

While the president asked to study the report further so as to make a conclusive decision, he reminded the committee of the promise he had earlier made to  Ugandans that the economy would be fully reopened in January.