President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered a national curfew starting Friday, March 27, 2020.
In a press briefing at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday, March 25, the head of state-directed that only permitted persons would be allowed to step out of the confines of their homes from 7 p.m to 5 a.m as of March 27.
"Effective Friday, 27th March 2020, a Daily Curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. shall be in effect in the territory of the Republic of Kenya, with all movement by persons not authorized to do so or not being Medical Professionals, Health Workers, Critical and Essential Services Providers, being prohibited between those hours,” President Kenyatta stated.
The head of state further directed that only Critical and Essential Service Providers will not be affected by the curfew.
Those include; Medical Professionals and Health Workers, National Security, Administration and Co-ordination Officers, Public Health and Sanitation officers in the County Governments, Licensed Pharmacies and Drug Stores, Licensed Broadcasters and Media Houses, Kenya Power & Lightening Company Limited.
Others are; Food Dealers, Distributors, Wholesalers and Transporters of Farm Produce, Licensed Supermarkets, Mini-Markets and Hypermarkets, Licensed Distributors and Retailers of Petroleum and Oil Products and Lubricants, Licensed Telecommunication Operators and Service Providers, Licensed Banks, Financial Institutions and Payment Financial Services, Fire Brigade and other Emergency Response Services and Licensed security firms.
More Covid-19 cases
President Kenyatta gave the order as he made an announcement of three more confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country, which takes the total tally to 28.
He further informed that the first Coronavirus patient in the country had fully recovered from the illness.
The directive by President Kenyatta comes as the government steps up efforts to curb the spread of the virus, with several cases and scares now being reported across various parts of the country.
He added that it was the mandate of his government to protect Kenyans from the adversities that may arise from the virus.
"I wish to assure you all that as a Government, at both the National and County Levels, we are implementing strict evaluation and monitoring protocol, designed to proactively seek out and test persons who may be carriers of this virus," President Kenyatta stated.
"In recognition of the extra-ordinary nature of this global tragedy and its enormous local effects, and conscious of the solemn duty of the Government to guarantee the enjoyment of social, civil and economic rights; my Administration has made and will continue to make targeted state interventions to cushion every Kenyan from shocks arising from COVID-19," he added.
Taxes
President Kenyatta further issued measures that would see Kenyans pay reduced taxes. This was to protect jobs for the people and to provide certainty for all employers as well as their employees.
In line with this, all individuals earning a monthly salary of Ksh 24,000 and below would receive a total waiver in taxes.
"A 100 per cent tax waiver for those earning a gross monthly income of up to Ksh 24,0000," President Kenyatta stated.
He additionally reduced pay as you earn tax from the standard 30% to 25%.
