This archive report was first published on 25 May 2020.
Kenya to Reopen Economy as Government Plans to Lift Curfew ¶
Kenya is set to start reopening its economy and social sectors as the government plans to lift the dusk-to-dawn curfew and containment measures put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.
According to sources, President Uhuru Kenyatta's plan to reopen the country is being implemented, with committees charged with various aspects of the pandemic response meeting on Sunday to come up with plans for reopening the country's economic and social sectors.
The National Emergency Response to Covid-19 Committee, chaired by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, is expected to present its plans to the President in about a week, ahead of June 6 when containment measures are set to expire.
President Kenyatta cited global trends and said Kenya would not remain under lockdown forever, but emphasized the need for personal discipline in following safety measures to reduce infections.
Transport minister James Macharia said the ministry would be looking at the aviation sector as a priority, with a view to get Kenya Airways up again, and that the Madaraka Express train service would also start operating once the restrictions on travel from Mombasa and Nairobi are lifted.
However, experts are urging caution, citing concerns that the country may not be ready to reopen due to a lack of discipline among the public.
Public health expert Patrick Oyaro said that by opening the economy, the government is loosening stay at home orders yet Kenyans are very poor at following safety measures.
Dr Mark Nanyingi, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the Institute of Global Health and Infection, University of Liverpool, said it will be foolhardy reopening when signs show the risk is rife.
