Cheptegei and three others go into self-quarantine

KAPCHORWA -Joshua Cheptegei and three other athletes have gone into self-quarantine after returning from Monaco, France on Sunday.

Cheptegei and his teammate returned to the country through Malaba border from Monaco where they had gone to participate in the Diamond League.

Upon arrival at Cheptegei's home in Chepchabia village, Apitta Omara, the commissioner of sports in the Ministry of Education, while addressing the locals that had gathered asked Cheptegei and his teammates to go for a mandatory 14-days quarantine.

Apitta noted that other athletes who are to be quarantined with Cheptegei include Halimah Nakaayi, Stephen Kissa, and Winnie Nanyondo.

Cheptegei and his teammates at a petrol station in Mbale

"As per the standing procedures of COVID-19, one from abroad is required to be quarantined for 14 days which is known to be the incubation period of the virus. So, Joshua and his teammates are going into self-quarantine for 14 days and this is to ensure that our athletes and citizens are safe," Apitta said.

"Joshua has come back home as a legend, champion, and record-breaker, but because of the current coronavirus, we have not had the usual procession because we don't want to put the lives of Ugandans at risk, that is why we preferred him entering the country through Malaba."

"After the 14 days, we shall be able to formally welcome him in the same way they were flagged off by the first lady Janet Museveni who is the minister of education and sports. The government will recognize him officially,"  he added.

Cheptegei and his teammates waiting to get into self quarantine in Kapchorwa

Dr. Siraji Masai, the Kapchorwa District Health Officer also said that they are to pay close attention to Cheptegei and his teammates for the 14 days and ensure that everything is done according to the standing procedures.

"Our medical team shall keep a close eye on Joshua and his colleagues to ensure that their temperatures are checked all the time and necessary attention is rendered where needed," he said.

"Nobody apart from the medical team and those that serve them food shall be allowed to visit them until the mandatory quarantine period elapses. We are going to have security to monitor so nobody can take advantage to sneak into the isolation center," he said.

Cheptegei expressed his joy for the victory and thanked his village-mates for supporting him during the times of training, adding that his teammates also played a pivotal role in supporting him during trying moment more at the time off lockdown.