This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
Kenya's COVID-19 Response: Lockdown and Curfew Extended ¶
June 6, 2020
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced the extension of the lockdown and curfew in Nairobi and coastal regions to contain the spread of COVID-19.
As of June 6, 2020, a total of 4,277 persons have been tested, with 16 new cases reported, bringing the total number of positive cases to 158. Four persons have fully recovered, while six have lost their lives to the pandemic.
The President emphasized the need for drastic action to prevent the spread of the virus, citing the exponential growth rate of the disease if left unchecked. He urged Kenyans to take personal responsibility in preventing the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, washing hands, and avoiding crowded areas.
The government has also taken measures to enhance surveillance at points of entry, including the closure of airspace and mandatory quarantine of inbound passengers. However, the virus has still managed to spread locally, with a majority of cases reported in Nairobi and the coastal strip.
As a result, the Cabinet Secretary for Health has declared COVID-19 a Notifiable Disease and a Formidable Epidemic Disease, and the National Security Council has sanctioned additional measures to contain the spread of the disease.
The measures include the cessation of all movement by road, rail, or air in and out of Nairobi and the coastal regions, as well as the cessation of movement within these areas for an initial containment period of 21 days.
The President urged Kenyans to put aside their differences and work together to defeat the virus, emphasizing the importance of unity and personal responsibility in preventing the spread of the disease.
