The Ministry of Transport has announced tougher measures set to regulate the movement of Kenyans in and out of hotspot counties – By Gerald Gekara.
In a press briefing to the media, Transport CS James Macharia released the guidelines to be followed by the transport sector in order to formally start plying their routes.
Starting this evening, the ministry announced its intention to reinstate police roadblocks at border crossings between Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mandera counties.
This, according to Macharia, will only allow through Public Service Vehicle drivers who have complied by the health ministry standards, that they have complied to the laid out health guidelines.
“Matatu crew will be required to enforce COVID-19 prevention protocols which include thermal screening, hand washing/sanitization, and use of face masks by customers, staff, crew, and passengers before entering offices, vehicles, and workplaces to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.” read the statement in part.
This will be enforced by a joint task force comprising of the Kenya Police, The National Transport Safety Authority, and the Health Ministry.
On their part, the Ministry has directed all Matatu Owners and Sacco owners to maintain and keep passenger manifest for all long-distance trip for a minimum period of one month before destroying them.
This is paramount in helping the ministry in contact tracing exercises once a case is identified.
On the part of Airtravel, the ministry has reiterated that no passenger will be allowed without a Covid-19 free certificate, citing the passengers’ risk being denied entry into other countries.
Also, CS Macharia added that those wishing to travel at night will be required to present their boarding pass to police officers enforcing curfew regulations. This is expected to terminate crowds flocking at airports to bid their kin farewell.
The ministry went on to emphasize adherence to the outlined sitting capacity that has been flaunted by the PSVs plying city routes.
