Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has announced that Kenyans who fail to quarantine after landing in the country face a jail sentence.
Speaking from Afya House in Nairobi, the CS reiterated President Uhuru Kenyatta's directives on measures the country should take to stop the virus in its tracks.
"As you are aware, on the 15th of March, his excellency the president had directed a number of measures including a travel ban for any country with coronavirus.
"Only Kenyan citizens and any foreigners with valid residents permit will be allowed to come into the country provided they proceed on a self-quarantine or to a government quarantine facility," he stated.
Mutahi stated that the public health act invoked should be treated seriously as he explained that travelers arriving in the country would be compelled to swear a legal document.
"When the Public Health Act has been invoked, quarantine is not a voluntary measure, it is a mandated measure that can lead to a fine and a jail sentence.
"This measure at the airport is going to be instituted by making those entering into the country swear a legal document that they will comply with what they are supposed to do," he stated.
Mutahi also stated that the regulations and guidelines issued by the government must be followed only until the government feels that the situation has scaled down.
In addition, he asked members of the public to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the state to avoid any case of further spreading of the virus.
He urged Kenyans to remain calm, issuing a warning against Coronavirus stories that would only dispel panic.
Further, Mutahi announced that cargo planes would be allowed to land in Kenya provided they disinfect at their points of take off.
