This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
On May 13, 2020, Kenya recorded 28 new coronavirus cases, with nine of them being truck drivers who had returned from Tanzania.
The Ministry of Health has implemented new protocols to isolate infected truck drivers from the roads, including mandatory COVID-19 testing every 14 days and the establishment of checkpoints along major transport corridors.
Acting head of public health Dr. Francis Kuria stated, 'We have launched new protocols for the truck drivers along transport corridors to Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Somalia to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.'
The new measures include the establishment of 16 laboratories along transport corridors and across 11 counties, which will ease the testing process for drivers and help the ministry track and isolate positive cases.
Truck drivers are required to take the tests 48 hours before their journey begins and every 14 days, and carry an attestation letter from the Ministry of Health indicating that they have tested negative.
The ministry has also set up 12 checkpoints along major long-haul transport corridors to take temperature readings of truckers, record any visible coronavirus signs and symptoms, and refer suspected cases to the nearest hospitals.
Additionally, the ministry has designated hotels for truck drivers to sleep or have meals during their journey.
