Summary
- The Head of State said that the guidelines will include protocols like social distancing and hygiene for learners and worshippers’ safety amid the rise in coronavirus cases.
- Kenya closed all learning institutions on March 15 while mosques, churches and temples have been closed for two months.
- Other establishments like hotels and restaurants have started reopening under strict safety measures.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday directed top State officials to
fast-track consultations with key stakeholders for gradual reopening of
schools and places of worship as more African countries seek partial
lifting of coronavirus disease restrictions.
The Head
of State said that the guidelines will include protocols like social
distancing and hygiene for learners and worshippers’ safety amid the
rise in coronavirus cases.
Kenya closed all learning institutions on March 15 while mosques, churches and temples have been closed for two months.
Other
establishments like hotels and restaurants have started reopening under
strict safety measures as the government seeks to revive Kenya’s
stuttering economy following restrictions to movement including a
dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed in late March.
“That
conscious of Kenya as a God-fearing nation, I direct the Ministry of
Interior and the Ministry of Health to continue and hasten their
engagement with religious leaders, with the objective of developing
protocols that will be adopted to guide a more participatory way for
worship while guaranteeing the safety of worshippers,” said Mr Kenyatta
in a televised address to the nation.
“In that regard, and conscious of the emerging trend of
infections I direct as follows, that the Ministry of Education
fast-tracks and finalises the ongoing consultations with the
stakeholders that will provide an appropriate calendar for gradual
resumption of education in the country,” Mr Kenyatta said.
The
Health ministry projects that infections will peak in August and
September, the same period a taskforce appointed by Education Secretary
George Magoha says schools will be free to open. The Sarah Ruto-led team
made the recommendation, but Prof Magoha reportedly said there is no
problem waiting until January.
The ministry says it will proceed with preparations for a smooth resumption of learning once normalcy resumes.
Mr
Kenyatta did not comment on the restrictions to movements, especially
the dusk-to-dawn curfew and halting of in and out of five counties most
affected by the virus, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Mandera.
The
extended containment orders will lapse on June 5. Kenya has reported
2,021 positive cases of Covid-19 and 69 deaths. Prof Magoha last month
told Parliament that learners would study for longer hours and only
close for one week during the August holiday in an effort to compensate
for time lost due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Tanzania
Monday become the first East African nation to reopen learning
institutions after President John Magufuli allowed universities to
resume studies. Secondary and primary schools, however, remain closed
with Dr Magufuli saying that they will analyse the infection trend
before re-opening secondary and primary schools.
Globally, governments’ have faced stiff opposition in their bids to reopen schools on fears of a surge in infections.
South Korea last week closed hundreds of schools that had been reopened following a spike in coronavirus infections.
South
Africa has started partial lifting of a coronavirus lockdown, letting
people out for work, worship or shopping, and allowing mines and
factories to run at full capacity.
Although schools
were ordered to open Monday for the last years of primary and secondary,
unions urged teachers and other staff to stay away, saying they were
not equipped to keep employees and pupils safe.
The
education ministry backed down on Sunday, saying pupils would now return
the week after next. Teachers will report this week for training and to
receive protective equipment.
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