NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 11 – – Kenyans can now resume normalcy after government lifted several COVID-19 restrictions, including mandatory wearing of masks, which have been in place in the past two years.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe who made the announcement on Fruday said Kenyans are now free to walk without face masks in public.
“Effective today, the mandatory wearing of face masks has been lifted,” Kagwe stated.
Kagwe said there will be no temperature screening in public spaces as well, instead recommending increased sanitation and hygiene awareness.
“Studies have shown that temperature screening has little use in the present epidemiological scenario where most cases do not depicit fever, hence no need for the checks,” said Kagwe.
The end to the restrictions will also see full resumption of sporting activities on condition that participants are fully vaccinated for persons above 18 years, while school games will resume unconditionally.
Full congregational worship will also resume with more emphasis on having those attending in door gatherings vaccinated.
On international travel, Kagwe said travelers fully vaccinated will not require PCR test, while unvaccinated travellers will be tested at their own cost.
The Ministry there will no longer be quarantine, and those who test positive will be required to self-isolate.
The Ministry further said truck drivers and travelers from the East African Community who are vaccinated will not require any other document.
Following the dropping of the restrictions, the government is said to be working on a strategy to ramp up vaccination exercise, which will see 60 per cent of the population vaccinated.
On international travel, Kagwe said travelers fully vaccinated will not require PCR test, while unvaccinated travellers will be tested at their own cost.
The Ministry there will no longer be quarantine, and those who test positive will be required to self-isolate.
The Ministry further said truck drivers and travelers from the East African Community who are vaccinated will not require any other document.
There has been a signficant drop in COVID cases in the country, with the infection rate having reduced from an average 30 per cent weekly in December last year, to 0.3 per cent this week.
