Kenya locks down five (5) counties over COVID-19

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has on Friday, March 26th announced reviewed Coronavirus measures, 14 days after his last speech on the COVID-19.

Uhuru announced cessation of all movement into and out of five counties: Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, Nakuru, said to be disease infected areas, effective midnight tonight

The set of new measures said to avert a national health crisis, also involved suspension of nationwide physical learning in all institutions others than for students sitting the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations (KCSE) and those in medical training institutions.

Curfew hours have also been revised to 8pm-4am in the zoned areas, but shall remain from 10pm-4am in the other parts of the country, effective midnight.

Cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru counties effective midnight.

All gatherings and in person meetings of all nature are suspended in Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kajiado and Machakos.

 Curfew revised from 8PM to 4AM in Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru. The rest of the country continues with the 10PM to 4am curfew  International travel to continue in accordance with existing guidelines

All sporting activities are hereby suspended starting midnight tonight. All physical learning except those sitting exams suspended until otherwise notified. Operations of bars in Nairobi, Nakuru, Machakos, Kiambu and Kajiado is hereby suspended.

 All restaurants and eateries in the 5 counties shall provide take away services only. Other counties shall continue as is and follow set MOH regulations. Employers are directed to let employees work from home save for essential services.

The President also announced suspension of places of worship and bars. Restaurants have been directed to offer take away services only, this is in the five counties. All gatherings in the said counties have also been suspended. International travel to Kenya shall continue in accordance to set COVID-19 travel guidelines

The third wave has strained Kenya’s health facilities, with the country’s positivity rate now at 20%. The rate of infection has gone up 10 times between January and March 2021. Rising death rate from COVID-19 is also a concern in the country. Nairobi county accounts to close to 60% of reported cases countrywide.

Earlier in the day, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the entire Cabinet and Executive Office to get the COVID-19 vaccine as the government scales up the roll out exercise.