President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Wednesday, November 4, announced changes in the curfew and operating hours for bars and restaurants.
In a press briefing outside the State House, the Head of State extended the nationwide curfew until January 3, 2021.
He also announced that the curfew would now begin from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. and directed eateries and bars to close at 9 p.m. The new directive takes effect from Wednesday, November 4.
Previously, the curfew period kicked off at 11 p.m. until 4 a.m.
President Uhuru revealed that the new changes were influenced by a spike in Covid-19 cases experienced over the last 38 days.
He also revealed that hospital beds occupancy had shot up by 140% announcing that 15,000 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in October alone.
“October has gone down as the most tragic month since the pandemic struck the country in March. 38 days later after reopening of the economy, we have experienced a reversal of our gains. The infection icon rate has gone up 140%. The positivity rate is now at 16%,” stated Uhuru.
He directed CSS, Cass, and PSs to scale down in-person engagements in government and prefer virtual meetings. He also directed that all civil servants aged above 58 years should work from home.
He also suspended all political gatherings and rallies for 60 days asking politicians to seek permission and also limit attendees.
He also directed that any political meetings should be carried out in community halls and have only a third of the capacity of Hall.
The President also stated that the government is preparing to issue localized restrictions in hotspot counties in which the ‘no mask, no service’ rule will take effect.
“Our two levels of government are failing to enforce COVID-19 protocols. The curfew checkpoints have become outlets for corruption.
“You must remember that it is not the govt’s desire to close down the economy, but whether or not we shall remain open will depend on the public’s responsiveness to Covid-19 protocols,” warned the President.