The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday, May 30, released new guidelines to govern public gatherings as countries began reopening their economies.
According to the report seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the WHO advised that gatherings should only accept guests with proven health records and that organisers must remain alert throughout the event.
The report also dictated that the functions should be held outdoors and arrivals should be staggered while the frequency of transport should be increased
"People with a higher risk of transmitting Covid-19 that they should not attend the event (e.g. those with Covid-19 symptoms, contacts of Covid-19 cases during their period of quarantine, or those coming from countries/areas with community transmission of Covid-19).
"Prevention and control measures applicable during this phase include regulating the flow and density of people entering, attending, and departing the event," reads the guidance in part.
Other proposals include designating seating, adjusting the venue capacity, holding events outdoors or virtually, reminding people to observe physical distancing, cough etiquette and hand hygiene practices.
“Since mass gatherings have substantial political, cultural, social, and economic implications, authorities should assess the importance and necessity of an event and consider the option that it may take place, provided all associated public health risks are adequately addressed and mitigated,” states the guide.
WHO also advised people who have pre-existing conditions and those aged over 65 years to stay away from attending events.
This came with a backdrop of an outcry over a meeting held by COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli at his home in Kajiado on Friday that defied Covid-19 rules provided by the state.
The meeting had dignitaries such as Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka as well as a number of governors.
The same was replicated by Ford-Kenya leaders at Nairobi's Raddison Blu Hotel in a meeting that was convened by Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati on Sunday, May 31 to dismiss Party Leader Moses Wetangula from his position.
Photos that emerged from the meeting showed a deliberate disregard of the social distancing rule with the leaders huddled together while giving a press conference.
The new guidelines are also expected to come in handy as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other leaders hinted that the famed Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rallies would be returning as well as the English Premier League, which attracts a huge fanbase set to return on June 17.
