This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
On June 6, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a series of changes to Covid-19 containment measures in Kenya, citing the evolving nature of the disease.
The ban on gatherings, including social, political, and bars, has been extended for a further 30 days. However, the cessation of movement into and out of the Eastleigh Area of Nairobi and Mombasa old town area has been lifted, effective 4:00 a.m. on June 7.
President Kenyatta also lifted the movement restrictions in and out of the counties of Kilifi and Kwale, which were previously in place. International travel restrictions have been extended, but the Ministry of Transport has been directed to develop protocols for the resumption of local air travel within seven days.
The nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew has been extended by 30 days, with the commencement time now being from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Regarding education, President Kenyatta asked the Ministry of Education, jointly with the Ministry of Health, to publicize guidelines for a gradual and progressive return to normalcy by the third term, starting on September 1.
He also requested interfaith and religious organizations to consult with the Ministry of Interior and Health to constitute an interfaith council within seven days to work out modalities and protocols for the re-opening of places of worship.
President Kenyatta noted that if the government had not taken stringent measures in March, the rate of infections would have peaked at 800,000 people by July 30, 2020, and 2.4 million people in 21 days, with 75,000 deaths by the end of August.
However, due to early interventions, Kenya has recorded only 2,600 infections and 83 deaths.
President Kenyatta has convened an Extra-Ordinary session of the National and County Government coordinating Summit on June 10, 2020, to review the effectiveness of containment measures and develop time-bound protocols for the progressive re-opening of the economy.
