This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
Kenya's Ministry of Health has issued new regulations to combat the spread of Covid-19 in public service vehicles, including matatus. The regulations, published in the Kenya Gazette on July 24, 2020, aim to reduce the risk of transmission among passengers and crew members.
According to the regulations, preachers, hawkers, and beggars will no longer be allowed in public service vehicles. Passengers will be screened for body temperatures before boarding, and the interior of the vehicle will be disinfected after every trip.
Matatu operators have been tasked with maintaining a register of body temperatures of all crew members, which must be available upon request by a public health officer. If a crew member's temperature exceeds 37.3 degrees Celsius, they will not be allowed to operate the vehicle, and the operator must notify the county director immediately.
Operators are also required to provide evidence of training for crew members on the spread and prevention of Covid-19. Additionally, passengers' luggage will be disinfected, and their vitals will be taken and recorded for long-distance trips above 50 kilometers.
Passengers with a body temperature above 37.3 degrees Celsius will not be allowed to board, and food or drink will not be served in the vehicle. A system for contact-free payment must be implemented by the operator, and all passengers must wear a mask covering both the nose and mouth while on board.
