President Uhuru issues 9 new guidelines on Covid-19 preventive measures

President Uhuru Kenyatta has reviewed Covid-19 measures across the country.

In a statement sent to the newsrooms on Wednesday, August 18, the Head of state announced nine new measures that will guide Kenyans in order to keep the Covid-19 pandemic at bay.

President Uhuru has instructed that the 10:00pm to 4:00am curfew has been extended for 60 more days. On the same note, the head of state lifted the differentiated curfew hours and specific restrictions imposed on Lake region counties that had been labelled as Covid-19 hotspots.

The counties included Kisumu, Siaya, Homabay, Migori, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet and Trans Nzoia.

President Uhuru has ordered that all physical or in-person public gatherings and meetings to remain suspended with immediate effect for the next 60 days.

“Political rallies and campaign meetings for impending by-elections are hereby suspended with immediate effect for a period of 60 days,” President Uhuru ordered.

Thirdly, the President directed that all social gatherings including weddings, celebrations of marriage or traditional unions, ceremonies of rites of passage, funeral or cremation ceremonies and all other similar events to have at most 100-person attending.

Fourth, all funeral homes have been directed to strictly ensure that the deceased are buried within four days upon confirmation of death.

“Officiators and proprietors of funeral homes are to strictly adhere to the prescribed 96 hours of confirmation of death, and secure processing for burial within this period, failure to which appropriate action against management, staff, and premises shall be taken where exceptions are not justified,” the President said.

Places of worship countrywide have been directed to adhere to one-third rule for in-person and congregational worship. Protocols on hygiene and social distance must be adhered to as advised by Inter-Faith Council.

The Head of State directed that entertainment joints restaurants and eateries shall continue as guided by the Ministry of Health guidelines, failure to which appropriate action against management, staff, patrons, and premises shall be taken.

He further directed all National Government Administration Officers are to ensure compliance with these directives without fail.

“Responsibility and consequence for a breach shall be borne by the National Government Administration Officers in whose jurisdiction the breach occurs,” President Uhuru instructed.

All security agencies have been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that organizers and or individual leaders, including senior public sector officials and political leaders take personal responsibility for any violation of the measures.

 Lastly, President Uhuru noted that all other rules, guidelines, protocols not reviewed shall continue to apply until otherwise notified.