KAMPALA, Uganda

Uganda has sent back 103 truck drivers from neighboring countries after they tested positive for the novel coronavirus at border points, an official said on Thursday.

Henry Mwebesa, the director general of health services, said the drivers were from Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and Eritrea.

He said the tests are mandatory and any foreign driver who tests positive is denied entry, as part of directives issued by the country’s president.

On Monday, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni said the new measures put in place had started yielding positive results as the positive cases are denied entry into the country.

Uganda’s neighbor Tanzania has not released an official health update about the coronavirus situation in the country since April 29, when the Ministry of Health revealed that the number stood at 480.

On Wednesday, the US Embassy in Tanzania urged its citizens in the East African country to remain home except for essential activities, warning that the high risk of contracting virus in Dar es Salaam is extremely high.