The government, through the Ministry of Health, has ordered the return of mandatory mask mandates over the increase of Covid-19 cases in the country.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe made the announcement on Monday, June 20, noting that all Kenyans will be required to wear masks in confined spaces including matatus, churches, offices, malls and supermarkets among other areas.
The requirement, however, will not apply when Kenyans are spending time in open public spaces such as when walking or jogging.
"One is required to wear a mask when in contact with other people in closed, confined spaces such as PSVs, aircraft, offices, supermarkets, market places and places of worship.
"All indoor meetings to continue at full capacity of the venue but provided that people take measures to be fully vaccinated in order to do so. We are not restricting in-person worship. We also require worshipers to wear their face masks while inside the places of worship," Kagwe stated.
In its June 20 update, the Ministry of Health reported 252 new Covid-19 cases from a sample size of 1,993 tests, pushing the daily positivity rate to 12.6 per cent.
Kagwe raised a red flag on indoor political gatherings, describing them as super spreader events. He cautioned those attending such gatherings to mask up to avoid contracting the virus.
The CS announced that only international travellers who have been fully vaccinated will be exempted from the PCR test and quarantine upon arrival.
Unvaccinated travellers will have to present proof of the test conducted within 72 hours.
The Ministry further raised concerns about the spike in cases of colds and flu with similar presentations as Covid-19 reported across the county, asking for them to get tested.
"We expect to have a lot more colds and flus with similar presentations like COVID-19. Therefore, there is a need for all those with respiratory like illnesses to seek appropriate medical care and be tested for COVID-19," Kagwe stated.
Ministry of Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth asked Kenyans to dress warmly, keep well hydrated, maintain high standards of hands and body hygiene, exercise regularly, stay home when displaying such symptoms and exercise regularly.
Kagwe called on counties to revamp their isolation facilities and secure adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and oxygen supplies to manage the surge in cases.
