On March 30, 2020, President Museveni issued new directives which included prohibition of all movements as one of the deterrent measures against the spread of coronavirus.

“Except for cargo planes, Lorries, pick-ups and trains, starting with the March 31, 2020, at 1900 hours (Saa Moja ya Usiku), there will be a curfew throughout the whole of Uganda,” Museveni said.

Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, some nations quickly took precautionary measures such as self-quarantining themselves in their homes until they are sure that they are safe to move again.

There are over 700,000 confirmed cases and more than 30,000 deaths registered worldwide from the virus.

The effort to address COVID-19 is important for all and poses a range of challenges on individuals and families as they respond to the demands of the situation.

For those countries that have already been affected by the pandemic, total lockdowns have been announced by their respective governments as a way of combating further spread of the virus.

This, however, has proven to be quite a daunting experience for some, especially those that survive on daily income.

However, health experts advise that in order to thrive during this period, people need to be active in order to protect their mental health.

What are you doing to stay active during the quarantine?

Here are a few pointers that could help you survive the spiraling negative thoughts about this uncertain time and also protect your mental health according to WHO;

1 - Stay connected and maintain your social networks. Try as much as possible to keep your personal daily routines or create new routines if circumstances change. Talk to your loved ones via telephone, e-mail, social media or video conferencing.

2 - When stressed, pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise regularly, keep regular sleep routine and eat healthy food.

3 - A near constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Seek information updates and practical guidelines at specific times during the day from credible sources and avoid listening to rumors that make you feel uncomfortable.

4 - Quarantine means that you have more time than you normally have during your busy working schedule. Why not use this time to adopt something new, for example, you can start a daily journal to jot down thoughts and feelings to reflect on later. Having something special during this time will help you look forward to each new day.

Sharing facts about COVID-19 and understanding the actual risk to yourself and people you care about can make an outbreak less stressful.
Wash your hands regularly with hand based sanitizer or water and soap. Use proper sneezing and coughing etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose with a flexible elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Practice social distancing, seek medical care early enough if you or your child had a fever.

Finally, we should all follow WHO guidelines and adhere to the measures government has put in place to help curb the spread of COVID-19. We can do this.

Stay Safe. Stay at Home.