This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
As part of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19, the Kenyan government has introduced a new measure requiring truck drivers to undergo a coronavirus test before traveling outside the country.
According to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the drivers will be tested 48 hours before their scheduled departure and will need to present a Covid-19 free certificate to be allowed to travel.
Speaking during a daily briefing at Afya House on May 6, 2020, Macharia emphasized the importance of the transport sector in the transmission of the disease, stating that public transportation is a key area in terms of both transmission and economic development.
"As we said before, public transportation is a very key area in terms of both transmission and also facilitation economic development. You have heard before about the risk of having truck drivers especially the ones carrying cargo into the country transmitting the virus, say from Mombasa going to the west in Malaba and going to other countries in the region," Macharia said.
He added that the new measure will be mandatory for all truck drivers leaving Kenya, including those traveling to neighboring countries, and will also apply to drivers coming from Rwanda.
The certificates will be valid for 14 days, after which the drivers will be required to undergo another coronavirus test to renew their certificates.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health has reduced the number of employees at the Mombasa port from 6,200 to 4,000 as a measure to stop the spread of the disease.
