This archive report was first published on 24 August 2020.
Kenya's sports sector is set to resume operations after a six-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Sports has outlined six steps for the resumption of contact, non-contact, and water sports.
According to the Ministry, the first step involves testing all players, coaches, backroom staff, and stadium personnel before they can return to training. The cost of COVID-19 testing ranges from Sh2,000 to Sh10,000 per person, with the certificate issued after the test lasting for 14 days.
Chief Administrative Secretary Noor Hassan has assured that talks will be held with Afya House to explore ways to partner with the Health Ministry to help sports teams undertake COVID-19 tests.
The Ministry's protocols have borrowed heavily from guidelines by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, as well as from other countries that have resumed sporting activities.
On competition days, there will be no press conferences allowed for the media, and only flash interviews will be conducted. Competitors and personnel who are not competing will be required to wear masks at all times while in the competition vicinity.
The Ministry's guidelines also recommend constant cleaning and disinfection of objects and equipment, as well as the presence of isolation, quarantine, and medical rooms at each competition venue.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to give an update on the existing containment measures on Thursday, which will play a key role in whether or not the Ministry's guidelines will come into force.
