President Uhuru Kenyatta has extended Covid-19 containment measures for another 60 days following advice from the National Emergency Recommendation Committee (NERC) on Wednesday, August 18.
Uhuru stated that the curfew hours in the territory of Kenya will continue to be observed from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am for another two months. This includes 13 Western region counties whose 7pm curfew was lifted.
These counties were previously termed as Covid-19 hotspot zone of Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Busia Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, and Trans Nzoia.
The head of state suspended with immediate effect all physical in-person gatherings and meetings including political rallies for a period of 60 days.
Additionally, the President announced that all social gatherings including weddings, funerals have been restricted to 100 people and that all of them must adhere to laid down procedures.
In the directive, burials should be held 96 hours after the confirmation of the death - failure to which the government will take appropriate action against management, staff, and premises who go against the directive.
Places of worship were instructed to continue adhering to the one third (1/3) rule for in-person worship and congregational worship according to guidelines issued by the Inter-Faith Council.
Bars, restaurants, and eateries were all instructed to continue adhering to the rules previously issued by the Ministry of Health led by CS Mutahi Kagwe.
Uhuru announced the new containment measures after meeting relevant government officials in a meeting that was also attended by opposition political party leaders.
The meeting held at State House Mombasa was attended by Raila Odinga (ODM), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Gideon Moi (KANU), and Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya).
The leaders agreed to play a leading role in encouraging Kenyans to abide by the Covid-19 containment protocols and interventions including the uptake of vaccines.
