The Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe, through consultations with the World Health Organization has lifted various restrictions on the Covid-19 prevention measures.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday at Afya House in Nairobi, the CS specifically announced that the mandatory wearing of face masks has been lifted.
“Despite this action, you are encouraged to maintain social distance and avoid crowding in public places,” said Kagwe.
He stated that all public gatherings such as worship places should resume fully and maintain Covid -19 regulations.
“The Inter-Faith Council is urged to develop protocols to facilitate resumption of full capacity venues where all worshippers are vaccinated,” he said.
In terms of sporting activities, CS Kagwe appealed to the Ministry of Education, to develop protocols to allow full resumption of sporting activities in learning institutions.
“Spectators are allowed to attend sporting events as long as they are fully vaccinated,” he cautioned.
He said that all Public Service Vehicles (PSV) are to resume in full capacity as long as the staff maintain Covid-19 regulations.
“However, PSVs, trains and air flight operators are to ensure that their staff members are fully vaccinated. Travelers should wear masks at all times,” stated the CS.
Further, on international travel, Kagwe said that all travelers who are fully vaccinated will be exempted from the requirements of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
“Children below the age of 15 years are exempted in any event of these requirements,” he added.
He assured the public that the Ministry will provide more vaccines to the people by supplying them to learning institutions such as the universities in order to vaccinate more individuals.
He also announced that temperature screening in public places should be stopped.
The CS acknowledged all health care workers for their endless dedication and appealed to all unvaccinated Kenyans to continue availing themselves for vaccination.
“Through Covid-19, we have learnt that hygiene is the best policy. Let us emphasize more on hand washing as well as use of hand sanitizers,” he said.
In his remarks, the Ministry of Health Director General, Dr Patrick Amoth, urged Kenyans to get vaccinated insisting that it is a voluntary process proposed for safety.
By Hannah Njoki and Manu Mumba
