This archive report was first published on 19 July 2020.
On August 1, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the reopening of Kenya's airspace, paving the way for international travel and the eventual reopening of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
Narok County Governor Samuel Tunai made the announcement after chairing a County Emergency and Response Committee meeting on Friday, citing the need to balance economic recovery with public health concerns.
'The Maasai Mara game reserve is the backbone of our economy as a county, and we have to put measures in place to reopen the game reserve while strictly adhering to COVID-19 protocols,' Governor Tunai said.
As part of the reopening plan, all employees and visitors to the game reserve will be required to undergo a coronavirus test before being allowed entry. The Kenya Medical Research Institution (KEMRI) has been prioritized to provide testing services.
Seven camps have already reopened after 316 employees working in the camps were tested and found negative for COVID-19, and the camps were fumigated. The reopened camps include Nabosho, Mara Serena, and Mara Simba lodge, which have conformed to the health regulations.
Additionally, a Chinese company constructing the Narok sewerage system has resumed operations after 22 Chinese workers tested positive for COVID-19. The company had been closed, but it has since reopened after all employees were tested and found negative.
According to Governor Tunai, 38 people in the county have tested positive for COVID-19, with 29 recoveries and three deaths. The governor emphasized the importance of regular inspections at the game reserve to ensure high hygienic standards are maintained.
The Maasai Mara game reserve is a critical tourist destination, particularly during the great wildebeest migration season. The county is expecting a large influx of foreign and local visitors during this time.
As part of the county's efforts to combat COVID-19, 300 beds are being set up in a three-block building at the Ololulunga Sub County Hospital for COVID-19 patients. One block is expected to be launched next week, and 40 beds have been set aside for COVID-19 patients at the Narok County Referral Hospital.
