Mandatory Masks Make a Comeback as Covid Cases Spike

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Monday, June 20th announced the re-introduction of mandatory mask wearing in enclosed public spaces.

Kenyans will be required to wear masks in public service vehicles (PSVs), supermarkets, churches, mosques,  offices and flights.

The reintroduction is informed by a resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the country over the past few weeks. Positivity rates have been on the increase, and hospitals are reporting more Covid-related admissions.

On June 19th, for instance, 246 people tested positive for Covid-19, from a sample size of 2,484 tested in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate stood at 9.9%.

A day earlier, the positivity rate stood at 14.5% – as
398 people tested positive from a sample size of 2,745.

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The mask mandate was among restrictions eased late last year when it was presumed that the worst was over with. The nationwide curfew, which had been in place since March 2020, was lifted in October 2021.

Kagwe has also urged Kenyans to get vaccinated to combat the resurgence.

As of June 18th 2022, a total of 18,582,262 vaccines have been administered across the country. Of these, 16,644,170 are doses administered to those aged 18 years and above.

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