Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has lifted the mandatory wearing of face masks in open public places.

Speaking Friday during a press briefing on the current status of COVID-19 in the Country, the CS nonetheless called on Kenyans to maintain social distancing and avoid crowding even in public spaces to ensure risk of spread is limited.

He, however encouraged the use of masks in all indoor functions.

The CS noted that the Ministry of Health has been conducting periodic reviews of COVID-19 outbreak containment measures ranging from quarantine, isolation, travel restrictions, restrictions on gatherings and enforcement of wearing of masks in public places based on guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO), on Public Health considerations and the evolving epidemiological situation globally.

” Because of these measures, our positivity rate has remained below 5% over the last few months. Particularly for the last one month, that is since 10th February, 2022, our positivity rate has been 1% and below. This has been realized as a result of the cooperation of Kenyans particularly in taking up vaccination,” said the CS.

He however called on Kenyans to continue to adhere to the Public Health and Social Measures and exercise personal responsibility.

Another measure the government revised was on gatherings, where the CS said all in-person worship will resume at full capacity as long as all the congregants and worshipers are vaccinated.

He at the same time called on the Interfaith Council to develop protocols to facilitate resumption of full congregational worship, with full capacity of venues where all congregants are vaccinated.

By Fred Azelwa