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Why Kenyans will still face restrictions during Christmas despite curfew lifting

 

Since the onset of the deadly coronavirus in Kenya on March 13, 2020, restrictions have been the new way of doing things in the country, that changed the lifestyles of many.

The government imposed new guidelines with the intention of flattening the curve.

And on March 27, 2020, as part of the move to mitigate the spread of the virus, the government announced a dusk-dawn curfew across the country.

Since the announcement, Kenyans, except the essential workers were not allowed outside past curfew hours, which was initially from 7pm-4am, before being revised to run from 10am-4am.

Many Kenyans were negatively affected by the order, especially those who were running business past such hours, as well as the transport industry.

During the Christmas season in the year 2020, Kenyans used to marking the celebrations overnight in churches and other places were forced to do so inside their houses as the government tightened the curfew order.

Many Kenyans working in urban centers travel to their rural homes to mark the celebrations with their families.

But this time, even in presence of the virus, Kenyans will be celebrating Christmas and New Year as before the pandemic.

This is after President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the curfew during the 58th Mashujaa Day celebrations that were marked at the Wang'uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County.

President Uhuru Kenyatta during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Wang’uru stadium in Kirinyaga county on October 20, 2021.
President Uhuru Kenyatta during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Wang’uru stadium in Kirinyaga county on October 20, 2021.
Image: MERCY MUMO

"I hereby order that the nationwide dusk to dawn curfew that has been in effect from March 27, 2020, be and is hereby vacated with immediate effect," Uhuru announced amid applause from those in the stadium.

However, Uhuru cautioned the country is not yet out of the woods and appealed to Kenyans to continue to observe the Ministry of Health containment measures.

Need for more caution

The country is currently experiencing the fourth wave of Covid-19, which has caused more tension across the world with the report of the Omicron variant.

Kenya reported its first cases of Omicron variant on December 15, 2021, sending a clear warning to Kenyans on the need to maintain primary guidelines of reducing the spread of the virus.

According to the Ministry of Health, the test rate jumped from 1.6 per cent on December 1, to 29.6 per cent on December 20, 2021.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has warned Kenyans ongoing community transmission of the Omicron variant has been established.

The CS also urged unvaccinated Kenyans to get the jab and those who have been inoculated to observe good hygiene habits including wearing masks and washing hands.

This comes amid concerns from Kenyans of increased coughs, chest pains, sore throats, running nose, and tiredness, as well as fever.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the Omicron variant is reaching more countries in Africa and weekly Covid-19 cases in the continent surged by 93 per cent.

Research is still underway to determine whether Omicron is fueling the surge in cases seen in Africa.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa said that Omicron is now present in nearly 60 countries globally and that the travel bans that mainly target African countries are hard to justify

“Through the diligent surveillance efforts of African scientists, the new variant of concern was first detected on this continent, but it’s unclear if the transmission was taking place silently in other regions. We call for science-based public health measures to counter the spread of COVID-19."

"The travel restrictions come at the height of the end-of-year tourist season, ravaging Africa’s economies, with a knock-on impact that is potentially devastating to the health of Africans,” Dr Matshidiso said.

Despite the lifting of the curfew, there are still restrictions for Kenyans.

The Ministry of Health also said that it will not be Christmas as usual after announcing several public facilities, including restaurants and hotels will be required to turn away customers who are not vaccinated.    BY DAILY NATION    

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