Uhuru suspends physical learning in all institutions

President Uhuru Kenyatta has suspended physical learning in all institutions, including universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training(TVETs), except for national exam candidates and medical trainees.

Uhuru said the move is part of a string of new measures aimed at combating the increasing cases of Covid-19.

“With respect to Education in Kenya, there shall be the immediate suspension of all on-going physical learning in all our education institutions including universities and tertiary and vocational colleges, other than for candidates sitting for their examinations and those in medical training institutions, until otherwise notified,” he said.

Prohibition against political gatherings and in-person meetings of whatever nature have been suspended in the five infested counties.

The ordinary sessions of August House and County Assemblies of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru have also been suspended.

“The speakers of Parliament and respective counties will move to effect this decision,” he said.

In-person worship in the five disease-infected counties stand suspended until further notice.

“In-person and congregational worship in places of worship in the Counties of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru stands suspended until otherwise notified,” he said.

He said the counties have officially been individually and together marked as disease-infected counties.

He however said in-person worship in the other counties will continue but in compliance with the one-third principal and guidelines issued by the Interfaith Council.

The president said movement into and out of the said counties remains suspended until further notice.

He said health experts have advised that the third wave began to gain momentum at the beginning of March 2021 and the wave is expected to peak in the next 30 days with more than 2,500 to 3,000 cases reported daily.

“Based on experience, this peak will flatten only by Mid-May2021, which is about 60 days from now,” Uhuru said.

He said all employers and enterprises of whatever nature including public bodies, the private sector, government offices, and others are directed to allow employees to work from home, with the exception of employees working in critical essential services that cannot be delivered remotely, until further notified.

International travel in to and out of the country shall continue in accordance to guidelines.

“All persons coming in must have a negative Covid-19 PCR certificate acquired no more than 96 hours prior to arrival in Kenya,” he said.