This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On July 6, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the re-opening of the economy after three months of partial lockdown, shifting the burden of responsibility in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic to Kenyans.
According to the President, the decision was made after wide consultations with critical stakeholders on attaining a certain level of preparedness, and on the advice of the National Security Council and the National Emergency Response Committee of coronavirus.
The President said although the irreducible minimums had not been met fully, there was a consensus among stakeholders that Kenya had reached a reasonable level of preparedness to allow for a phased reopening.
Consequently, the cessation of movement order imposed on Nairobi Metropolitan Area, Mombasa and Mandera lapses at 4am Tuesday, but the daily nationwide curfew between 9pm and 4am remains in place for another 30 days.
President Kenyatta cautioned that re-opening of the three counties posed more risk to all Kenyans 'than we were when the restrictions were in place.'
He urged Kenyans to take responsibility and exercise cautious optimism, warning that it is not time to have 'unnecessary' contacts and trips upcountry, where the old people stay.
Research has shown that people aged 60 years and above are more vulnerable to Covid-19 infections, whereas young people are capable of spreading the virus involuntarily because many who get infected are asymptomatic.
Places of worship are also allowed to begin a phased re-opening, with congregants not exceeding 100 people per service, and services not lasting more than one hour.
However, Sunday schools and madrassas remain closed, and 'in-person worship shall not include congregants under the age of 13 years or above 58 years; or persons with underlying conditions.'
