This archive report was first published on 11 May 2020.
The Kenyan government has introduced stricter guidelines for truck drivers, making Covid-19 testing and self-quarantine mandatory during their journeys.
According to the new rules, all truckers must stay in designated hotels and guesthouses, and not any other facility of their choice.
Director of Public Health Francis Kuria noted the risk factor associated with truck drivers, which he said necessitated the protocols.
“It is very likely that a truck driver from Mombasa can spread the disease to our neighbours,” said Dr Kuria.
He added that all truckers now have to be tested at least 48 hours before they begin their journey, and that even if a driver has a Covid-19 certificate, a sample will still be taken by health officers along the way to be tested again.
“A Covid-10 certificate does not mean you may not have been infected along the way. So along the way you can still be stopped and tested, and once we get the results, we will have to stop you again,” he said.
The government has set up and selected up to 14 testing facilities along the major highways used by truckers, and will continue setting up more centres as needed.
Designated stops have also been set up along the corridors, with selected hotels already contracted, to avoid the risk of the trucker spreading the disease to other people, or them getting infected and later spreading it.
For Covid-19 certificate check, truckers will be stopped at Lunga Lunga, Taveta, Namanga, Busia, Moyale and Isebania.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman noted that it is not clear how many truck drivers are infected by the virus, but that Uganda has been vocal on the cases of Kenyan truck drivers who have tested positive.
