In a radical move, the leader of Uganda has ordered citizens to stop shaking hands as part of the measures to fight the Coronovirus.
President Yoweri Museveni asked Ugandans on Saturday to stop shaking hands as a precaution to avoid contracting the deadly Coronavirus that is spreading to various countries across the world.
“Now as the Ministry of health guides us, let us take a personal decision not to shake hands unnecessarily or expose ourselves to conditions that will facilitate the spread of Coronavirus,” Mr Museveni said in a statement.
He said Coronavirus which has become a global threat is approaching Africa, with Nigeria and Egypt registering cases.
“Coronavirus is real, it does not kill as much and fast like Ebola, but spreads at a very terrific rate. It undermines economies because it is disruptive and inconvenient. If a country records a case of coronavirus, people will be quarantined, movements limited, businesses, schools, leisure parks closed,” he said.
According to the World Health Organisation figures, more than 2,800 people have died from the virus and 83,000 infections have been confirmed in 54 countries across the world.
China, where the virus originated has the highest cases deaths with 2,794, followed by Iran at 43 and 17 have so far died in Italy.
Nigeria has recorded the first case of Coronavirus in the sub-Saharan region while Egypt and Algeria are the other two countries on the continent to report as case each.
