Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe is urging caution in the wake of new Covid-19 infections in the country.
While briefing on the current status of the pandemic, the health CS announced the re-introduction of the mandatory wearing of masks in closed/confined spaces such as in PSVs, Aircrafts, offices, supermarkets, market places and places of worship.
“This sharp rise in numbers of new infections should mean something to our country – that we must once again take urgent steps to prevent the slide into a crisis like the one we experienced in 2020 and 2021 when we lost many lives and resources.” Observed the health CS.
All in person indoor meetings will however continue at full capacity of the venue as long as all the participants are fully vaccinated. All Attendees are required to wear a facemask at their meeting venues while all participants in in-person meetings will be required to show proof of vaccination.
In the new arrangement, all in-person worship will continue at full holding capacity as long as all the congregants and worshipers are fully vaccinated. Congregants will be required to wear their face masks while inside places of worship.
All international Travelers arriving into the country and who are fully vaccinated remain exempted from the requirement of a PCR test and are exempted from quarantine upon arrival in the country. All unvaccinated travelers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya will however be required to be in possession of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted not more than 72 hours before departure regardless of the route of entry. Unvaccinated travelers arriving at any point of entry will be subjected to rapid antigen test at their own cost with any person who tests positive on antigen RDT subjected to entry PCR test at their own further cost and will be required to self – isolate as per isolation guidelines.
All passenger service vehicles, train and domestic air flight services will continue operations at full conveyance capacity.
And to reduce exposure and transmission of respiratory infections amid a rise in cases, Kagwe said the Ministry of health is advising the public to stay at home especially if exhibiting a cold/flu-like symptoms, dress warmly to avoid triggers, avoid crowded places and gatherings, wear a mask in crowded and enclosed spaces, keep well hydrated, exercise regularly, maintain hands and body hygiene. The CS also advised Kenyans to seek medical advice or attention at an authorized treatment facility upon development of difficulty in breathing and adhere to prescribed medication as well as eat a healthy balanced diet, lots of fruits and vegetables, with adequate portions of carbohydrates and protein.
According to Kagwe, the reviews have been based on and guided by analysis of the prevailing epidemiological situation of the pandemic in the country and the region, whilst taking into account the situation in other jurisdictions.
The country has experienced an upsurge in new Covid-19 infections in recent days with Monday reporting 246 new cases from a sample size of 1,993 tests translating to a positivity rate of 12.6%. The obtaining situation has seen the ministry of health launch an accelerated vaccination campaign to increase the number of Kenyans fully vaccinated against the disease.
At the close of the day Monday, a total of 18,589,484 doses had been administered with 8,580,397 adults having been fully vaccinated. 341,473 teenagers have also been fully vaccinated while 406,042 persons had already received their booster shot. The proportion of adults fully vaccinated stand at 31.5%.
Kenya started vaccination of its adult population against the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2021 and vaccination of its teenage population with Pfizer in November. Following global reports of waning immunity from covid-19 vaccinations, Kenya started the administration of 3rd doses as booster shots earlier this year.
Source: Ministry of Health