Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (front) addresses a televised news conference in Nairobi, Kenya, March 15, 2020. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced stringent measures to help contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus after two new cases were confirmed on Sunday. Sub-Saharan Africa reported more novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on Sunday amid stronger countermeasures against the pandemic. (Xinhua)
NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced the stringiest measures to help contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus after two new cases were confirmed on Sunday.
Kenyatta who addressed a televised news conference in Nairobi said two new cases originated from the 27 persons who had made contacts with the first victim who had traveled from the U.S. and whose case was confirmed on Friday.
"We have received confirmation of two more cases of the coronavirus the two have tested positive as a result of coming into contact with the first patient. Our health officials have already moved them into the Kenyatta National Hospital isolation facility," Kenyatta said in Nairobi.
He disclosed that all 27 people who had come into contact with the first case were traced and had undergone testing, with two of them testing positive.
Kenyatta announced drastic measures aimed at containing the spread of the COVID 19 including restricting travel to Kenya from all countries with reported coronavirus cases
"Only Kenyan citizens to be allowed into Kenya provided they go to self-quarantine or government facility. In force for 30 days," Kenyatta said.
He said all persons who have come to Kenya in last 14 days must self-quarantine, noting that all schools will be suspended with immediate effect.
He said day schools should be closed from Monday and boarding students of both primary and secondary schools will be leaving their respective schools between Tuesday and Wednesday and will remain home until further notified.
Kenyatta said government and companies will allow employees to work from home except essential services.
He said the government will encourage use cashless transactions like money transfer service, M-Pesa, and cards and appealed for reduced transaction costs from the providers. He called on persons to avoid congregations, weddings, funerals as part of measures to minimize the spread of the deadly COVID 19.
The Kenyan president also urged people to avoid shopping places and minimize congestion in public transport and also limit visitors to hospitals.
He called on hospitals and malls to provide water, soap, sanitizers and ensure regular cleaning and disinfecting places.
