Kenya to request proof of Covid vaccination
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Nairobi (AFP) – Kenyans will need to prove that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to gain access to government services and public places such as national parks, bars and restaurants under the new health regulations.
The move comes despite Kenya having seen a drop in the number of coronavirus infections in recent weeks, but against a backdrop of increased restrictions in some European countries battling growing cases.
Kenya will require people to present vaccination certificates from December 21 and plans a 10-day mass vaccination campaign from November 26, Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said in a statement on Sunday evening.
European visitors will also need to provide proof of full vaccination, he added.
Kenya, Kagwe said, has seen a “sharp drop” in the number of severe cases and deaths, with a positivity rate over the past 14 days ranging from 0.8% to 2.6%.
Since the start of the pandemic, the East African power plant has recorded a total of 254,629 cases and 5,325 deaths.
“Not yet the time to celebrate”
“I have no doubt that by looking at these statistics it is very easy to become complacent and not appreciate the scale of the problem we still face with the pandemic,” Kagwe said.
“The current decline in the number of new infections can be attributed to a build-up of immunity both from natural exposure to the disease and from the ongoing vaccination exercise. Nonetheless, we know that it is not. still time to celebrate. “
According to official figures, only 2.4 million people, or less than nine percent of Kenya’s adult population, have been vaccinated, against a government target of 30 million by the end of next year.
Kagwe has raised concerns over low use of Covid injections, especially among the elderly, and said she has slowed down after a nationwide nighttime curfew was lifted last month .
He said Kenya had received a total of 10.7 million doses of the vaccine and expected to receive another eight million, without giving a schedule.
Under the new measures, in-person access to government services, including hospitals, education, tax and immigration offices, will be limited to people with proof of vaccination.
Similar restrictions will be imposed for public places such as national parks and game reserves, hotels, bars and restaurants, while all indoor gatherings will be limited to two-thirds of the capacity for those vaccinated only.
All those working in the public transport sector, such as pilots, drivers and motorcycle taxi drivers “boda boda” should also be fully immunized.
© 2021 AFP