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· The Covid-19 lockdown measures in Kenya are to lapse on July 6 after more than three months of strict shutdown
· President Uhuru Kenyatta is reportedly contemplating to reopen airspace for domestic flights, allow religious gatherings and inter-county tourism and travel
The Covid-19 lockdown measures in Kenya are to lapse on July 6 after more than three months of strict shut down that has left wide ramifications on its economy. Despite the rising COVID 19 cases, the President Uhuru Kenyatta is reportedly contemplating to reopen airspace for domestic flights, allow religious gatherings and inter-county tourism and travel in a bid to salvage its battered economy. The President stated that the resumption of the domestic flights will be a trial to test Kenya’s readiness for international travel over the next couple of days.
The President assured that the reopening will be guided by necessary protocols. Kenyan tourism sector had developed a set of re-opening protocols, which received the approval of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) on July 1. The tourism sector was hit hard by the travel restrictions imposed due to COVID 19. Speaking about the WTTC approval, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said that Kenya is listed as one among the 80 global destinations certified and authorised to use the “World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travel Stamp”.
The national government has advised various county administrations to set up at least 300 ICU beds per county in readiness for the ease in travel restrictions. However, so far, county governments have managed to set up 6,898 isolation beds only against the national target of 30,500 units.
Meanwhile, consultations are taking place for the re-opening of places of worship as well as the resumption of sporting activities in the country. The number of Covid-19 infections in the country continues to rise sharply.
