The Government has extended the nationwide night curfew for the next 30 days to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic amid calls for the full reopening of the economy.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the country had not attained the recommended WHO positivity rate.
“The extension is effective today (Monday). This is because we are still, as far as the positivity rate is concerned, above the WHO recommended figures in terms of two weeks period when you have got less than 5 percent positivity rate at a high testing level,” Kagwe said.
The night curfew that starts at 10pm to 4am has been in force since last year.
He said that other containment measures that include wearing of masks and ban on gatherings are still in force.
Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has urged the media to rally communities through accurate reporting to contain Covid-19.
“We will also use the 30 days that we have extended the containment measures to vaccinate as many people as possible. As we head to the Christmas period, we need to ensure that many people are vaccinated because it is the only way that we will be able to fully reopen the economy,” Kagwe said when he officiated the launch of an Online Information Portal for media professionals.
“I ask you to give people as much accurate information as possible; the more information we give the more disciplined our people will be”.
CS Kagwe who spoke at the launch of the Media Council of Kenya Covid-19 Information portal Monday morning, called for concerted efforts by media and development partners in the fight against the global pandemic.
“I congratulate the Media Council for launching this one-stop shop portal for media professionals and the remarkable initiatives it has put in place for the media to help in efforts to contain the spread of this disease”, said CS Kagwe.
The Cabinet Secretary urged the media to uphold responsibility while reporting on Covid-19, adding that “timely and accurate information are key ingredients in dispelling misinformation around the disease, including vaccination”.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru commended the media for their contribution to containment efforts.
“Media outlets across the country have prioritised coverage of the pandemic, creating awareness and boosting the vaccination exercise. I encourage you to maintain this.”
“The launch of this information portal is timely as it will address the numerous challenges that have come with the Covid-19 pandemic with regards to dissemination of accurate information,” said CS Mucheru.
