COVID-19: Youth cautioned on sneaking to watch football

KAMPALA - The Uganda Prisons spokesperson, Frank Baine has cautioned soccer lovers especially the youth against crowding after the English premier league games resumed last week.

Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, he said the security bodies have noticed that following the resumption of the English Premier League, youths are sneaking into shelters and makeshift video halls commonly known as Bibanda, to watch live matches and reviews.

He said this is putting these youths at a high risk of contracting the novel coronavirus since such places invite people from varied places and tend to be overcrowded.

The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. The spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another.

It is upon this background that the WHO and Ministry of health, advise people to at least keep a two-meter distance from each other, frequently wash hands with water and soap, and wear masks while in public.

 However, the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, recently said Ugandans have thrown caution to the wind. They are no longer observing social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands.

"From our observations now, Ugandans have forgotten. Earlier on in the pandemic, Ugandans were excessively vigilant, so vigilant that we even recorded hand washing as having improved from 23% to 86%. Right now, from the records we are receiving even hand washing has gone down to 56%," she noted.

Baine, while addressing the media, urged parents to watch their children.

"Parents please ensure that your children are with you. Don't let them get endangered because they are going to mix with people they do not know," he advised.

He urged the youth who are already forming teams and playing soccer to be mindful of who they are mixing with, noting that while they are imitating the premier league, they are not aware of each other's COVID-19 health status, like those foreign leagues.

"Those playing international games have COVID-19 negative certificates. They are tested before the games. So, for us, let's be patient.  Time will come when we shall enjoy this but now it's time to save lives," he appealed to the youth.

The English premier league resumed on June 17 but games are being played behind closed doors.