This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On June 6, 2020, Kenya's COVID-19 cases rose to 2,600, with 126 new infections reported on the same day President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that easing restrictions was not yet feasible.
As the number of new infections continued to rise, the President extended the night curfew, which had started at 7pm to 5am, to now begin at 9pm to 4am. He stated that this measure would allow traders to have more hours for business. The new order took effect on June 7, 2020, and will last for 30 days.
Kenya's fatality toll from the virus also increased to 83, following the deaths of four more people.
President Kenyatta urged Kenyans to exercise patience, assuring them that the government was working on a plan to reopen the economy without putting their lives at risk.
'I have seen many memes talking about independence and Freedom Day, but we are not doing this to punish anyone. This is about life and we are doing this to protect the lives of Kenyans,' the President said.
However, the President lifted the cessation of movement into and out of Eastleigh, Old Town in Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale from June 7, 2020, but restrictions in place for Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mandera counties remained in force for a further 30 days.
'The experts say opening the economy will be risking the lives of Kenyans and at the end of this, we will have destroyed the economy further,' he said, explaining that his decisions were based on advice from scientists and public health experts.
'Let us unite and see how we can help those who have been hard hit,' he said.
The President also directed the Ministries of Health and Interior to constitute an inter-faith council to work out protocols on the re-opening of places of worship. The council is expected to come up with the protocols within a week in consultations with health experts and other stakeholders.
Public gatherings, including political gatherings, social gatherings, and bars, will remain banned for the next 30 days.
He also urged the Ministry of Transport to engage key stakeholders and develop protocols for the resumption of local air travel.
Furthermore, the President directed the Ministries of Education and Health to hold consultations to have a new calendar for the education sector by mid-August, in time for the resumption of learning at the beginning of September.
