The national government has effected mandatory quarantine rule after it emerged that visitors and Kenyans coming into the country were disobeying the self-isolation rule.
On Monday, the government started placing all arrivals in the country in mandatory quarantines in city hotels at their own cost.
The Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced the new measures, saying that all passengers coming into the country must be quarantined at their own cost in government-approved hotels or in government facilities.
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The CS urged city hotels to reconsider their rates and offer passengers reduced rates in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr. Kagwe asked hotel managers to consider providing 50 percent to 70 percent discount to passengers quarantined at their facilities, saying the move is part of corporate social responsibility.
By last evening it was understood that the passengers aboard three National Youth Service (NYS) buses were taken to several city hotels.
CS Kagwe invoked the Public Health Act to announce the strict COVID-19 quarantine measures.
“When the Public Health Act has been invoked, quarantine is not a voluntary measure, it is a mandated measure that can lead to a fine and jail sentence. This measure at the airport is going to be instituted by making those entering into the country swear a legal document that they will comply with what they are supposed to do,” he said.
He also announced a state ban on international flights, and this will take effect Wednesday.
“Countries wishing to evacuate their nationals must make arrangements to do so within this period. Kenyans who are currently in foreign countries and will not have come back within the said period are advised to observe the guidelines issued in the respective countries wherever they are,” Mr. Kagwe said.
