President Kenyatta issues new Covid-19 containment measures

“The nationwide curfew is extended up to January 3, 2021, and beginning tonight (Wednesday), the curfew will now be enforced between 10 pm and 4 am,” President Kenyatta said in his address.

By Mourice Seretta

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday issued new Covid-19 containment measures after chairing the sixth extraordinary session on National and County Government Summit at State House Nairobi.

Among the new measures, the President announced include reviewing the nationwide curfew hours from 10 pm to 4 am until January 3, 2021, starting today.

“The nationwide curfew is extended up to January 3, 2021, and beginning tonight (Wednesday), the curfew will now be enforced between 10 pm and 4 am,” President Kenyatta said in his address.

The head of state also directed that bars and restaurants close by 9 pm.

President Kenyatta also suspended all political rallies for sixty days with immediate effect.

“All political rallies are suspended for 60 days with immediate effect. Anyone wishing to hold such meetings should do so in town halls and must observe all COVID protocols, including limiting the attendees to the one-third seating capacity of the hall,” Uhuru said.

The president further urged MPs to engage their respective NG-CDF Boards with a view of finding ways to augment existing interventions geared towards the reopening of schools. He also urged them to make investments that focus on additional handwashing points, face masks, physical distancing

“With respect to the examination classes that have resumed learning, I direct that they continue learning and exam preparations under heightened health safety measures. All basic education classes to resume in January 2021; class 8, 4 and form 4 pupils to continue learning while observing Covid-19 guidelines and protocols.” He said.

He also said that the government will not hesitate to shut down markets, public transport places in a bid to ensure the safety of citizens. And said no person will be offered services who do not abide by health guidelines.

“And to enhance civic responsibility, national and county governments have resolved that going forward services will not be rendered to anyone who does not abide by the Ministry of Health protocols. I call on the private sector to join the government in the public campaign dubbed ‘No Mask, No Service’/ ‘Bila Barakoa, Hakuna Huduma.” Said the Commander-in-Chief.

To protect gov’t staffers, the President said all state and public officers aged above 58 years and those who are immuno-compromised to work remotely with the exemption of those serving in critical sectors.

He also directed all CSs, CASs and PSs to scale down all in-person engagements within gov’t and to take steps to foster discharge of their mandate, and that of their officers, through virtual means.