Read and avoid trivial queries about the fresh COVID-19 rules in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 26- President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday announced a raft of new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, which is currently at more than 20 percent.

He also directed the security agencies to firmly enforce all the measures he has put in place, including those earlier declared by the Ministry of Health, “without fear or favour.”

What do you need to avoid being on the wrong side of the law?

The President declared Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos, Nakuru, and Nairobi Counties as disease-infected areas.

The five Counties account for 70 percent of all COVID-19 cases.

In those Counties, the President issued a cessation of all movement by road, rail, or air into and out, effective Friday at Midnight.

You can move freely within the five counties, but you can not leave or enter the zoned area.

Still, within the five counties, the President suspended all public gatherings and in-person meetings of whatever nature. The curfew hours within the zoned areas have also been reviewed downward to start 8pm to 4am.

“That international travel into and out of the territory of the Republic shall continue in accordance with the existing guidelines on Foreign/International Travel,” the President said.

People coming into the Country must however be in possession of a negative COVID-19 PCR Certificate, acquired no more than 96 hours prior to arrival into the Country.

The PCR Certificate must also be validated under the Trusted Travel platform for those traveling by air.

In custody of a curfew pass?

The President directed the Interior and Health Ministries to re-issue the passes, to curb misuse. Passes issued before were suspended.

All physical and congregational worship in all places of worship in the Counties of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru were suspended until otherwise notified.

“That in regard to the other forty-two (42) counties in/person worship and congregational worship shall continue to be conducted in keeping with the one-third rule and in accordance with the guidelines of the Inter-Faith Council,” the President said.

Operations of bars were also suspended in the Counties of Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Kiambu, and Nakuru.

Similarly, the sale of alcohol in restaurants and eateries in the five Counties is prohibited, until further notice.

All restaurants and eateries in the 5 Counties shall provide takeaway services only.

“The operations of bars, restaurants, and eateries in the other forty-two (42) Counties shall continue as is, but they shall at all times be conducted in strict fidelity to Ministry of Health Guidelines, failure to which appropriate action against management, staff, patrons, and premises shall be taken,” the President said.

Regarding funerals, cremations, and other interment ceremonies, the President directed that the ceremonies shall be conducted strictly within 72 hours of confirmation of death.