This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced a significant easing of lockdown restrictions in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mandera counties, effective July 7, 2020, at 4 am. The nationwide curfew has been extended by 30 days.
According to the President, the decision to reopen these areas comes with a caveat: the State may reverse the reopening if COVID-19 trends become worrying.
"Should the situation deteriorate and pose a challenge to our health infrastructure, it shall be 'clawed back'. In the next 21 days, we shall study patterns of interactions and the spread of the disease. Any trends that signal a worsening of the pandemic, we will have no choice but to return to the lock-down at zero-option," President Kenyatta warned.
Places of worship will also commence phased reopening, with a maximum of 100 participants allowed at each worship ceremony and not exceeding one hour. However, congregants under 13 or over 58 years should be allowed, and those with underlying health conditions have been cautioned against congregating to worship.
Local air travel will resume on July 15 under Ministry of Health and Transport guidelines, while international travel will resume on August 1. Public service vehicle operators will require certification from the Ministry of Health to operate out of areas previously under cessation of movement.
President Kenyatta noted that the decision to reopen the country was a tough one, balancing what was good for the economy and what made sense amid a public health crisis. "After much reflection, my administration opted for the health argument over the economic argument. More so because we can always revive an ailing economy; but we cannot bring back to life those who die from this pandemic," he said.
