Government adjusts measures resticting movement in and out of locked down areas

Government Spokesman Col. Cyrus Oguna [Samson Wire, Standard].

You have until 8 pm on Sunday to travel in and out of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru.

This is according to Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna who announced a suspension to the directive given by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday to tame the spread of the Covid-19 after the emergence of a third wave.

“We are aware that some of our people may have been locked in and out of the Zoned Area. For those affected, the Government has allowed for a transition period until tomorrow 28th March 2021 outside the curfew period. This applies to college students as well,” said Oguna.

Oguna noted a person will still be able to travel within the zoned areas, but in and out of. He said those holding SGR or airplane tickets have until midday Monday, March 29 to travel after which all SGR and domestic flights in and out of the Zoned area shall be suspended.

Individuals holding curfew passes will continue using the old ones until new ones are issued next week. The application procedure remains the same and applies to healthcare workers, journalists among others.

Oguna stated enterprises whose workforce are deployed in double shifts (day and night) are not affected by the new measures.

He also said all domestic flights in and out of the Zoned area will be suspended from Monday, March 29 mid-day. International flights will, however, be exempted. He insisted all must observe all COVID-19 protocols, which include possessing a COVID-19 negative certificate obtained within 96 hours before travel.

For those seeking specialised treatment within the Zoned area, cases will be addressed upon proof of referral and after clearance from a Police Commander has been obtained. The same applies for the transportation of caskets, which must be disposed of within 72 hours.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta take the Covid-19 Vaccine at State House, Nairobi after the Fifteenth [15th] Presidential address on the Covid-19 pandemic at State House, Nairobi. [Courtesy]

New Covid-19 measures to tame third wave

1. As 70 percent of Covid-19 cases come from five counties, Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru, they are now declared disease-infected areas. Cessation of all movement by road, rail, or air into and out of the disease-infected areas effective Saturday, March 27. 

2. All gatherings and in-person meetings of whatever nature in the zoned counties are suspended until further notice. All in-person cabinet meetings, with the exception of the National Security Council, are also suspended.

3. Ordinary parliament sessions and county assemblies in the zoned counties have been suspended until further notice.

4. International travel into and out of Kenya shall continue in accordance with existing guidelines on foreign and international travel.

5. Anyone coming into Kenya must have a negative Covid-19 PCR certificate, acquired no more than 96 hours prior to arrival into the country. The certificate has to be validated under trusted travel platforms by those traveling by air.

6. Hours of ongoing nationwide curfew revised to commence at 8pm and end at 4 am in the zoned areas. In the rest of the country, it remains as it was (10pm-4am), effective midnight.

7. Protocols of curfew pass re-issuance to be reviewed. All issued passes have been vacated.

8. All physical and in-person as well as congregational worship in the zoned areas have been suspended until further notice. In the other counties, in-person and congregational worship shall continue (in keeping with the one-third rule) in accordance with Inter-faith council guidelines.

9. There shall be an immediate suspension of all ongoing physical learning in all institutions including universities, tertiary and vocational colleges other than for candidates sitting for exams and those in medical training institutions

10. All sporting activities are hereby suspended. This applies to member clubs.

11. Operations of bars suspended in zoned areas. The sale of alcohol in these zoned areas is prohibited.

12. All restaurants and eateries in zoned areas ordered to provide takeaway services only.

13. Operations of bars, eateries, and restaurants in the other 42 counties shall continue as is, but with strict fidelity to Ministry of Health guidelines.

14. Public transport operators directed to uphold 60 per cent carrying capacity. County emergency response committees directed to enforce the implementation of infection prevention and control measures in markets. They must ensure all buyers are masked and maintain physical distance.

15. Public bodies, private sector, and government offices, etc. directed to allow employees to work from home, except for those with essential services.

16. Judiciary, law enforcement, remand and correction facilities, and the ODDP to take action in eliminating non-essential physical contact or situations that may lead to crowding or spread of Covid-19.

17. All hospitals directed to limit the number of visitors for patients to two visitors per patient.

18. All physical meetings and events, including social gatherings to have no more than 15 persons.

19. Funerals to be conducted within 72 hours of death confirmation. Attendees limited to 50 persons

20. Attendees, officiators, and facilitators of weddings (traditional union ceremonies), etc., limited to 30 persons.

21. Political gatherings suspended until further notice.

22. Those above 58 years of age to be vaccinated as a priority during the first vaccination phase.