Coronavirus: Kenya sets in motion plan to gradually ease economic lockdown

06 Juin 2020

Nairobi, Kenya, June 6 (Infosplusgabon) – Kenya has set in motion a plan to gradually ease the economic lockdown, lifting of movement restrictions and the reopening of churches, mosques and schools.

On 27 March, Kenya imposed a nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew, then on the 5 April, it took a further step to tighten the lockdown, including a ban on the movement into and out of a number of areas.

President Uhuru Kenyatta said the measures were announced to contain the havoc visited upon Kenyans by the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

During a televised news conference at State House on Saturday, he said: “Given this trajectory, and the fact that this crisis requires a long term strategy, I took time to reflect on …What must be done.

"If we lift the ban on movement, how will this help us fight the pandemic? And if we do not, how will the ban affect our economy, especially, the micro business enterprises and those who derive their livelihoods from them?”

The President said after the successful containment of the disease in the Counties of Kilifi and Kwale, in the Kenyan Indian Ocean coast, the ban on movement into and out of the two Counties that is currently in force, would be lifted.

On the reopening of schools, following stakeholders' consultations in the education sector, the Ministry of Education, jointly with the Ministry of Health, is expected to publicise guidelines on a gradual and progressive return to normalcy in the education sector by the Third Term. The schools would reopen from 1 September.

He said the education ministry would announce the new school calendar by mid-August.

On the reopening of churches and places of worship, following consultations with interfaith and religious organizations, the Ministries of Interior and Health will within seven days, constitute an Inter-Faith Council, to work out modalities and protocols of re-opening of the places of worship.

In the meantime, the ban on all forms of gatherings, including but not limited to political gatherings, social gatherings, including bars would remain in place. The ban is to extended for a further 30 days.

The President said due to the evolving nature of the disease globally, international travel restrictions would be restricted.

However, the Ministry of Transport was directed to hold talks with airlines to develop protocols on the resumption of domestic flights.

The President also eased the ban on movement of people in and out of Eastleigh, a residential estate located 4 km outside down town Nairobi.

The President did not lift the ban on movement of people from Nairobi to the rest of the country, citing the increase in patterns of infections.

The cessation of movement into and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, Mombasa and Mandera was therefore further extended by 30 days.

He said to enable all Kenyans have the opportunity to enjoy a full-day’s work, the nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew currently in force until Saturday is extended for a further 30 days.

However, the commencement time is varied from 1900 hours to 2100 hours with the end time for the same being varied from 5:00 am to 4:00 a.m.

He said recognising that the negative impact of COVID-19 is not limited to health care, the government has made targeted interventions to protect the economy.

President Kenyatta said opinion was divided on how to advance against the virus in the face of the economic challenges.

“Some, including myself, wanted to open up now. That was, and is still my desire," he said but scientists held a contrary opinion.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/POL/GABON2020

© Copyright  Infosplusgabon