The Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced the return of the mask mandate for all civilians living in Kenya. Following a recent high Covid-19 infection positivity rate the government of Kenya through the Ministry had no other option but to call for what was necessary. Citizens will be required to put on their masks in confined areas such as matatus, churches, schools, offices, malls and supermarkets. The exception to the law applies only when citizens are in open spaces while keeping a distance.
“One is required to wear a mask when in contact with other people in closed confined spaces such as PSVs, aircrafts, offices, supermarkets, market places and places of worship.”
In the latest briefing on Sunday by the Ministry of Health, the Covid-19 positivity rate rose to 9.9% after 246 newly reported cases from 2,484 samples tested.
“All person indoor meetings to continue at full capacity but provided that people take measures to be fully vaccinated in order to do so. We are not restricting in-person worship. We also require worshippers to wear their face masks while inside the places of worship,”
the CS said.
Kenya currently stares at the 6th wave of the pandemic and the measures to wear masks indoors are among the efforts it has put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19. Mutahi Kagwe has condemned indoor political gatherings terming the factor as leading to the ‘super spreading of the virus’. He cautioned those attending such gatherings to mask up and ensure they are vaccinated.
“We have situations like in political indoor meetings where we are seeing super spreading of Covid-19.”
Mutahi Kagwe announced also that unvaccinated travelers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya will be required to have a negative PCR test result conducted not more than 72 hours before departure.
There have also been cases of colds and cases of flu in recent weeks with alike symptoms to Covid-19. The Ministry of Health advises those suffering from respiratory illnesses to seek medical care and get tested.
“We expect to have a lot more colds and cases of flu with similar presentations like Covid-19. Therefore, there is a need for all those with respiratory-like illnesses to seek appropriate medical care and be tested for Covid-19.”
A week ago, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new report on Covid-19 that placed Kenya among the countries experiencing the sixth wave of Covid-19. The report aforementioned reveals Kenya and Mauritius are the only two countries among the 54 African Union (AU) member states following the recent surge in cases.
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“Two member states (Kenya and Mauritius) experienced a 6th COVID-19 wave. Since the last briefing, one additional member is experiencing the 6th wave.” The report read.