This archive report was first published on 13 June 2020.
June 13, 2020 - Kenya's Ministry of Health has issued a stern warning to truck drivers who continue to disregard COVID-19 protocols at the country's border points.
According to Dr. Rashid Aman, the Chief Administrative Secretary at the Ministry of Health, acquiring a virus-free certificate is mandatory for all truck drivers crossing the Namanga and Busia borders to Tanzania and Uganda, respectively.
Since March, a total of 196 cases have been confirmed among truck drivers, with 16 reported on Saturday alone.
Dr. Aman attributed the recent traffic snarl-ups at the border points to non-compliance by the drivers, who are required to obtain COVID-19 certificates 48 hours prior to their journeys.
“We appeal again that these procedures should be followed so that the traffic snarl-ups cannot be created,” Dr. Aman said.
Kenya has recorded a total of 3,457 COVID-19 cases, with 152 new infections reported on June 13. The country has also seen 57 patients discharged after recovery from the virus, bringing the number of people out of hospital to 1,221.
Dr. Aman emphasized the importance of observing COVID-19 measures, stating, “Observing these measures comes with the cost to all of us. It is not easy. We have to give up many of our freedoms and desires.”
