Effective December 21, anyone requesting in-person government services must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination, Ministry of Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has said.
In order to accelerate vaccination, the Ministry in collaboration with County Governments and other stakeholders will be undertaking a ten-day mass vaccination exercise from November 26 with the aim of administering adequate vaccines to as many people as possible ahead of the deadline.
“Nobody said vaccination is mandatory..but if you want government services you have to be vaccinated,” said Kagwe.
Such services will include KRA services, Education, Immigration Services, Hospital and Prison visitation, NTSA, and Port services amongst others
All motorable operators including Drivers, Conductors, Bodaboda riders, Pilots, Air Hostesses, and others working in the sector will also be needed to be fully vaccinated and carry verification proof at all times..
Travelers from European/American countries must also provide proof of vaccination before entry into Kenya. Proof of vaccination we be required before admission to tourist spots across the nation.
And although the government has no intention of forcing anyone to take the vaccine, CS Kagwe says it will be improper to allow vaccinated people to entertain the risk from of those that remain unvaccinated.
While responding to the directives being challenged in court, CS Kagwe said the courts cannot force Kenyans who are vaccinated to entertain those that are not.
“What the courts cannot do is to force somebody who has been vaccinated to entertain a person who has not been vaccinated….so it is not the law that we want to use but it is for you to know what you need to do as a citizen,” he said.
CS Kagwe who was addressing the media at Afya House also raised alarm with the increasing numbers of new infections sweeping across and the United States.
Governments are already mulling imposing stringent restrictions, especially with the Festive season nigh.
Hotels, bars & businesses serving more than 50 people.
The Ministry of Health has directed owners of public facilities to require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination from patrons starting December 21.
Speaking Sunday, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the directive applies to national parks and game reserves, hotels bars and restaurants, businesses serving more than 50 people a day, and all indoor gatherings.
“… All businesses, including small and medium enterprises, serving 50 or more people a day to put up signage requiring proof of vaccination before entry into their premises and their patrons to be fully vaccinated,” stated Kagwe.
The CS further directed that all indoor gatherings be limited to two thirds capacity, with proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all in attendance.
“We are appealing to the Interfaith Council to review and adapt these new measures as appropriate,” he added.
Kagwe added that violators of the directive will be slapped with hefty fines.
“If you are a bar owner don’t wait until you are slapped with a heavy fine, ensure all coming in have proof of vaccination,” he said.
On his part, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala welcomed the directive, saying it was part of a larger set of measures the international community is taking.
“We want to be compliant with the international community so that we have a safe population. When you are fully vaccinated you are much safer,” he stated.
Balala further divulged that the government was also considering enforcing proof of COVID-19 test results for domestic travels.
“At a later stage we will review the issue of requirement of PCR testing, especially for travellers. For now we want to welcome the pronouncement of requiring all the facilities to demand vaccination certificates,” said Balala, adding: “If you fail, there will be a penalty on both the facilities and the individuals.”
According to the Health Ministry boss, 95 percent of all those hospitalised from COVID-19 in Kenya and across the world are un-vaccinated.
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