The government has announced the restoration of mandatory wearing of face masks in indoor settings in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19.
At a press briefing on Monday, June 20, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe stated that it would be mandatory for Kenyans to wear face masks in matatus, offices, places of worship, malls among other confined places.
However, Kagwe said that Kenyans in open public spaces would not be required to wear face masks.
"With regard to wearing of face masks, the mandatory wearing of face masks in open public spaces where one is not in close proximity to another remains optional.
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"However, one is required to wear a mask when in contact with other people in closed or confined spaces such as PSVs, aircraft, offices, supermarkets, market places and places of worship," Kagwe stated.
The CS said that indoor meetings will continue at full capacity but maintained that all attendees shall be required to wear a face mask.
He added that all participants in in-person meetings shall be required to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
Kagwe stated that the country was experiencing a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases with a slow rise in the overall positivity rate.
The CS further noted that the vaccination rate had dropped, adding that a large number of Kenyans have not yet been vaccinated.
"Regrettably, the vaccination rate has dropped from over 300,000 doses per day in March 2022 to only about 12,000 vaccinations per day in May 2022," Kagwe stated.
He, however, noted that the Ministry of Health has launched an accelerated vaccination campaign to reach as many Kenyans as possible.
Kagwe appealed with the political class to urge their supporters to get vaccinated and wear face masks during political campaigns.
