Covid-19: Kenya Shuts Border with Tanzania, Somalia for 30 Days

President Kenyatta on Saturday ordered the closure of Kenya’s borders with Somalia and Tanzania to contain the spread of the Covid-19 disease.

Kenyatta said the decision was informed by the growing number of imported cases of Covid-19 from the two neighboring nations in the past one week.

He indicated that 43 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed at the border points such as Wajir (14), Isebania (10), Namanga (16), Lungalunga (2), and Loitoktok (1) in the past one week.

Consequently, the government announced a 30-day ban on movement of persons and passengers in and out of Kenya through these border points except for vehicles ferrying cargo.

“In the last week we have unfortunately witnessed an increased number of imported cases among individuals crossing into our countries through our borders; these areas have become a matter of grave concern to us,” Uhuru said.

“There will be a cessation of movement of persons and any passengers into and out of the territory through Tanzania and Somalia effective midnight today,” he added.

Uhuru said cargo truck drivers will be required to undergo mandatory Covid-19 testing before they are allowed to enter or exit the country. They must be proven to be negative for the illness.

He divulged that a total of 78 foreign long-distance truck drivers have so far been barred from entering Kenya after they tested positive for Covid-19 at different border points.

As of Saturday, May 16th, there were 830 confirmed cases of Covid-19, 301 recoveries and 50 fatalities