Uganda has discouraged arrival into the country from 16 countries across the world due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The East African country ordered all passengers arriving from the COVID-19 hit countries to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the East African country.

In a statement on Wednesday, Uganda's Health Ministry urged against non-essential travel into the country by people from 16 countries around the world.

The 16 countries pooled into one Category 1 group include; Italy, San Marino, Iran, South Korea, France, China, Germany, Spain, Belgium, U.S., U.K, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Austria and Malaysia.

"Any traveller from these countries, including Ugandan nationals will be subjected to self-quarantine or institutional (health facility) quarantine at their own cost," the statement read in part.

The ministry said the countries affected by the travel advisory would be removed from the list upon reports of zero new cases for 14 days.

It added that it was considering spraying all travellers who arrive in the country as they disembark with a disinfectant.

Uganda has not reported any case of COVID-19, though like other countries across Africa, it has heightened its preparedness to tackle the virus.

11 countries around Africa have reported confirmed cases of the virus, including Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, Cameroon, Tunisia, Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Source(s): Uganda Ministry of Health