The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has proposed the increase in curfew by an hour, to start at 9 pm till 4 am for the next 3 weeks.
The proposal is aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19
KEPSA, in a press statement issued yesterday, cited the spike in infections over the last few weeks, with the positivity rate now standing at 16.5 per cent, as reasons for the proposed measures.
“The private sector also wishes to state categorically and without hesitation its support for the ongoing vaccination campaign. We must not only vaccinate our people; we must also intensify this campaign to ensure all Kenyans who want to be vaccinated are vaccinated by July 31 2021,” read the statement signed by CEO Carole Karuga.
According to KEPSA, companies operating night shifts, night deliveries, and other essential services should be exempted.
The sector also wants all social gatherings including ceremonies to mark Idd and Easter celebrations restricted to indoors for the same duration.
“The social gathering include ceremonies to mark Idd and Easter celebrations, weddings etc,” the statement states.
It proposed the limitation of people attending funerals to below 15, reduction in the number of people attending physical meetings in offices, and the policing of the country’s borders to minimize cross-border spread.
KEPSA also wants the limit number of people attending funerals to below 15 for the next 3 weeks. This would be below the 100 cap announced by the President two weeks ago.
It also recommends that there should be a reduction in the number of people attending physical meetings in offices for the next three weeks.
In addition, KEPSA urged the government to initiate a massive vaccine roll-out plan, issue an indemnity to enable the private sector bring in more vaccines, as well as encourage religious leaders to take the vaccine.
“This move will increase public confidence and increase vaccine uptake. Private sector leaders above 50 years are ready to get vaccinated publicly in order to create more awareness on vaccination,” added the statement.
“Increase number of ventilators, field hospitals to boost the capacity of health facilities which is still the same as it was at the beginning.”
It further proposed NHIF to expedite the accreditation and contracting, capitation, pre-authorization and claims turnaround processes.
“This will create capacity at primary health facilities to provide other medical services hence continuity of care as we manage Covid-19 cases in the designated treatment and isolation centres – Faith Based and Rural hospitals are most affected by the NHIF delays,” it stated.
KEPSA also proposed a rollout campaign on immune-boosting measures through, for instance, increased uptake of foods rich in Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D.
The private sector alliance urged the government to conduct sensitization campaigns targeting the youth through the media as well as a creative sector-led campaign through MkenyaDaima.