GUIDELINES APPROVED for partial reopening of eateries & restaurants by H.E the President, National Emergency Response Committee on CORONAVIRUS

Following the directives of H.E the President, National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus has approved the following guidelines for partial reopening of eateries & restaurants.

1. AlI restaurants shall only operate between 05.00 a.m.

and 04.00 p.m.

2. Restaurants must limit the number of diners or customers to 4 people for every 10 square metres space.

3. Tables in the dining areas must be spaced 1.5 metres apart in the dining area or seat customer groups at least 1.5 metres apart.

4. Maintain distance from the back of one chair to the other chair not less than a metre and guests must face each other from a distance of at least one metre.

5. AIcohol shall only be sold with a meal in the restaurant and only be served to customers waiting to be served a meal, during the meal, or 30 minutes after the meal has ended.

6. Temporarily discontinue self-service of ready-to-eat foods such as salad bars or buffets.

7. Customers to have their meals delivered individually to the dining table by appointed restaurant stewards.

8. If two buffet meals are served the service shall be by only one person appointed by the restaurant.

8. Restaurants to ensure quality and safety of food, to rinse and sanitize food contact surfaces, disinfect surfaces, floors and counters.

9. Install adequate portable running water and accessible washing basins for hand washing purposes, install alcohol based-hand sanitizers at the entrance and exit points.

10. Restaurants and eateries must install a contact free thermometer and ensure that every person entering the premises has his/her body temperature taken.

11.Any staff member or reveler with temperature above 37.5 degrees shall not be allowed entry into the premises, and the premises shall immediately notify the Ministry of Health through the toll free no 719 for guidance.

12. Ensure physical distancing (1 metre - 3 feet) in food preparation areas.

GOVERNOR TUNAI orders opening of some Markets to cushion residents

NAROK COUNTY markets that will now resume operations  includes; Samuel Ole Tunai says.

Narok East- Nairragie-Enkare, Ntulele and Suswa.

Narok North-Tipis, Olchoro, Rotian, Ewaso Ng'iro, ODM, Muthurua and a new market near the stadium.

Narok South- Ilkerin, Narosura, Ololulung’a and Sogoo.

Narok West-Olpusimoru, Ngosuani, Aitong and Mulot.

Transmara East-Dikirr, Njipiship and Murkan.

Transmara West- Ogwedhi, Lolgorian, Kilgoris, Angata and Enoosaen.

Key points from President Uhuru Kenyatta's address to the nation on Covid-19 response:

✔️Covid-19 Fund has received almost Ksh1 billion since it was established

✔️Needy households in Nairobi that will be beneficiaries of weekly stipend identified for pilot

✔️Ministry of Health directed to develop welfare package including medical cover for frontline health workers

✔️Ksh5 billion disbursed to counties to fight Covid-19

✔️Ksh8.5 billion released to the elderly and vulnerable members of the society

✔️Government working towards coming up with post-Covid-19 economic recovery plan

✔️Government in discussions with developed countries around the world for suspension of debts for a while

#KomeshaCorona🇰🇪#WeShallOvercome🇰🇪

WEAR FACE MASK OR BE JAILED 6 MONTHS- IG Police orders

Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai has directed police officers to arrest anyone found in public without a face mask.

Speaking in Mombasa on Wednesday, Mutyambai said putting on a mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the country is now compulsory in line with the gazette notice issued by the Office of the Attorney General on April 6, 2020.

According to the gazette notice, failure to wear a face mask is punishable by a fine of Ksh.20,000 or six-year jail term or both.

"I have instructed police officers to enforce this," said Mutyambai.

The gazette notice further directed that every organization, business entity, trader or vendor whether in a market or enclosed premises must provide either water and soap to customers or an alcohol-based sanitizer approved by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

Business entities are also required to put in place measures that ensure customers maintain a distance of no less than one-metre is maintained between persons accessing the premises.

The business entities, vendors, traders and organizations are also mandated to sanitize their premises on a regular basis, failure to which they also risk Ksh. 20,000 fine or imprisonment of six months.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe recently announced that boda boda operators are only allowed to carry one passenger at a time while private vehicles are to avoid carrying more than 50% of licensed capacity.

Anyone found flouting the new regulations will have their vehicle detained at a police station or any other place that the IG designates pending arraignment in court and/or for the duration of the restriction period

CORONAVIRUS cases in Kenya rises to 225.

The number of coronavirus cases in Kenya has risen to 225 after nine more patients tested positive for COVID-19 following the testing of 803 samples over the last 24 hours.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, in a press briefing on Wednesday, said the country is not out of danger yet, noting that all the nine patients are Kenyans who had no history of travel outside the country but were identified through contact tracing.

"We are not out of danger. We are aware that there are those looking at our figures and celebrating a bit too early. A comparative review of the countries now being overrun by the virus shows that they were reporting similar figures as we are now

Our 4.6% death rate is within the global range of 6.3%. Our figures should therefore not delude or deceive any of us in to dropping the ball," said Kagwe.

He noted that five of the nine new patients are from Nairobi and four from Mombasa, and are aged between nine and 69 years.

The CS further noted that 12 more people had recovered from the disease, bringing to 53 the total number of patients who have so far been discharged after testing negative for the coronavirus.

One more patient has also succumbed to COVID-19 in the country, raising the total number of deaths to 10.

A total of 2,336 contacts have been monitored, out of which 1,911 have been discharged with 455 being followed at the moment.

The Health CS emphasized on the need for Kenyans to wear face masks to prevent them from contracting the disease, further putting boda boda operators on notice for flouting the COVID-19 safety measures.

"There are some sectors that have not taken seriously what we are saying. I want to appeal to boda boda operators to adhere to the measures we have said. It is in their enlightened self interest to do so. Let us all stand up for our country," said CS Kagwe.

DP Ruto Explains Why He Cannot Appear Alongside The President During COVID-19 Pandemic Period

Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday made his first public address since the government announced the first COVID-19 case in the country.

On matters why he has not been seen with his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto said that they have been carrying out government business as usual but meetings are via teleconferencing.

He also said that during these peculiar times, the president and his deputy cannot be in the same place just as they cannot travel in the same machinery.

Addressing the nation from his Karen office, the DP asked Kenyans to stay safe by staying at home, noting that the deadly virus needs our bodies for mobility.

“Corona virus can’t move, it needs our bodies to transfer from one place to another, curtailing our movement will hugely prevent the movement of this virus…” the DP stated.

He also noted that we should not take for granted the simple measures put in place such as social distancing, washing of hands and sanitizing.

“Every Kenyan should go an extra mile and ensure their family and friends adhere to the safety measures… let us be our brother’s keeper…” he said.

Applauding the measures put in place by the government so far, Ruto said that the state will soon employ 1000 doctors whose positions will be advertised this week.

“In preparation for the possible escalation numbers of the COVID-19 cases, the government has designated and equipped different hospitals and facilities including Kenyatta University Referral Hospital,” he told reporters.

He also told Kenyans that KeMRI will soon be ready to carry out mass testing, further noting that KEMSA will stock-pile medical supplies necessary for management of COVID-19 cases.

The self proclaimed hustler also reiterated the need for boarding schools in various counties be turned into quarantine centres should the situation warrant it.

Appealing to the private sector players, Ruto urged them to safeguard jobs and refrain from laying off their employees during this period.

He also thanked the medical practitioners who have been on the frontline in fighting the respiratory disease. He assured them of personal protective gear that will be manufactured locally an will meet the set standards.

“To ensure that our health workers perform their duties without them being compromised, personal protective gear is being made available and in adequate quantities, to ensure sustained supply of these, local manufacturing has been identified,” the DP averred.

During this Easter Weekend, he asked Christians to pray for the country.

“I call on the Christian community to lift up our nation in prayer this Easter period and I equally ask Kenyans of all faiths to commend our nation to God’s unfailing mercy and grace for us to overcome this pandemic,” he continued.

Kenya has thus far confirmed 179 cases of coronavirus. 6 people have died while 6 others have been declared coronavirus free.

Kenya Redcros NAROK county branch come in to help combact COVID19.

Kenya Redcros Narok county branch today was able to visit siayapei Childrens home and distributed 40 pcs of Bar soap and sanitizers reaching to 65 children , on that note we distributed 80 Litrs on Sanitizers to 174  bodaboda riders in town, Public awareness and sensitization  was done at Ewaso ngiro center reaching to about 350 people , and the Branch was able to have a meeting with Maasai mara University on how we can partner with them and the conclusion was that the university will make sanitizers while the Redcross Narok Branch will help in distribution .

14 MORE COVID CASES CONFIRMED TODAY, TOTAL RISE STANDS AT 172- SAYS CS Kagwe.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has announced Kenya has confirmed 14 more coronavirus cases.

This now brings the country's total number to 172 with four fatalities.

12 of these are Kenyans while two are foreign nationals.

Speaking during the daily coronavirus briefing at Afya House on Tuesday, the CS said the 14 additional cases came after the government tested  696 samples in the last 24 hours.

Out of the new 14 cases, seven are from Nairobi, two from Mombasa, two from Mandera while Machakos, Kisii and Kiambu had one case each.

Kagwe said it is critically necessary for every Kenyan to wear masks.

"Let us embrace that which will save us from lurking danger. It's important we adhere to measures if we are to score significant gains against this monster," he said.

The CS warned that the government will not hesitate to take bolder measures in the coming days to curb the spread of the disease.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday had announced an additional 16 cases raising the country's total number to 158.

Addressing the media from State House on Monday, Uhuru said to date, the government have tested a total of 4,277 people.

Uhuru at the same time declared the cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa counties for 21 days.

The President justified his action saying the containment counties were the epicentre of the coronavirus spread in Kenya.

He said 82 per cent of Kenya’s reported cases of Covid-19 were linked to Nairobi, 14 per cent to residents of Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa.

OPERATIONS AT THE FAMOUS MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVE GROUNDED FOLLOWING LACK OF TOURISTS OVER COVID19

Tourism activities at the Maasai Mara Game reserve have grounded following the dreaded Covid 19 Pandemic.

All hotels within the famous world heritage site have shut down operations as no tourists are visiting the region.

Members of staff working at Hotels have been sent home with a section of lodges terminating the contracts of their employees.

Narok County governor ,Samuel Tunai Confirmed that camps and Lodges in the Maasai Mara have closed down due to lack of foreign tourists. 

Speaking at the Sarova Mara, Tunai faulted a section of hoteliers such as Keekorok lodge for   terminating  employees contracts.

The governor called upon such lodges to reconsider giving a 6 months package to their employees who have no alternative ways of making a living.

Governor Tunai further expressed that the 9 patients who had been quarantined at the Mara Triangle and others who were isolated at various hospitals in Narok tested negative.

The governor further noted that last year 2.4 billion shillings was collected at the Maasai Mara adding that this years target would greatly be affected following lack of visitors.

Kenya Now Has 126 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases- CS Health Mutahi Kagwe

“Fellow Kenyans, we have tested 372 samples in the last 24 hours 4 of which have tested positive and include 3 Kenyans and 1 Pakistan,” Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has announced.

“The four who have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours bringing the number 126 are three males and 1 female,”the Health has announced.

Among the four who have tested positive for coronavirus, according to today’s briefing, are two that traveled from Malawi and two who contracted the disease locally with 34 being the youngest and 44 being the oldest.

Captain Kibati who flew the last Kenya Airways flight to New York is currently being buried in his home in Kitui as he was among those that died on 1st April,” the Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has revealed.

“Our laboratories in KEMRI are involved in serious research to replace the various items that we have been importing to test for the disease,” the Health has said.

“The Ministry of Health has operationalized the Kenyatta University Research National Hospital and already has 20 cases as at now,” CS Kagwe has said.

“I wish to make a special appeal to the youth who are the biggest component of our society and the most mobile in our country, they are the carriers of Coronavirus so please take the responsibility of adhering to the measures strictly to protect our country,” the CS has appealed.

“Be ready as a youth to fight this pandemic lest you bury your parents in large numbers and suffer a failed economy,” the Health CS has said appealing to the young people to join in the war against the fight against COVID-19.

“We continue to urge Kenyans to wear masks and take their use seriously, keep social distancing to save each other and our country at large,” the Health CS has said.

“Fellow Kenyans, we have tested 372 samples in the last 24 hours 4 of which have tested positive and include 3 Kenyans and 1 Pakistan. The four are three males and 1 female.

Among the four who have tested positive for Coronavirus are two that traveled from Malawi and two who contracted the disease locally with 34 being the youngest and 44 being the oldest.

Tracing continues as 1781 cases are being monitored and 672 people are being observed in the follow-up program. The rate of positive cases is the current highest in quarantine facilities especially those not sticking to measures as a group was reported to have been partying.

“We have instructed the medical team to quarantine those in the facilities for another 14 days

Stay where you are, Coronavirus is getting worse, warns Health CS Mutahi Kagwe

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe opened his daily press conference on a high tone on Thursday afternoon.

A perturbed Mutahi, told Kenyans that the coronavirus situation in the country is not getting any better.

“The situation in Kenya is not getting better. It is getting worse,” said Kagwe.

Mutahi also stated that there are two more people who have succumbed to the deadly Coronavirus.

This makes the number of the total deaths in Kenya to be three. One of the patient who was declared dead on Thursday was receiving treatment at Nairobi, and the other one at Mombasa.

The CS further announced that the number of Coronavirus cases in the country have rose as 29 more people were confirmed to be Coronavirus Positive.

The new announcement makes the total cases of the disease in the country to rise to 110.

However, the CS noted that Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi has tested negative for Coronavirus. The county boss now awaits to be prosecuted for not following quarantine rules.