The increase in cases of Covid-19 in Kilifi County has led the emergency committee to meet to tighten some of the restrictive measures already in place and above all to involve the local authorities in enforcing them.
But thanks also to appeals from the tourism sector, there will be no negative changes to the curfew (the advance to 7 pm instead of 10 pm would have created problems for hotels and restaurants and discouraged many tourists from Nairobi or foreign countries to come to the coast).
There were also fears that the beaches would be closed, but this will not happen for 30 days, although the committee confirms that they will be monitored and overcrowding prevented.
On the other hand, there is a request to close open-air markets and stalls for the whole month of August and to absolutely respect the closure of bars at 7 p.m. and not to organise parties with music, even if private (such as weddings or funerals) in the evening (the so-called "Disco Matanga"). There is no mention of restaurants in the communiqué, everything is expected to remain as before, closing at 9pm.
For the rest, the restrictions mainly concern habits that are not respected by the local population, so the coast is clear for tourists, who will still have to comply with the restrictions already in place, such as the use of masks, the ban on public gatherings and social distancing.
Here is a summary of the County's regulations, effective immediately as of today, Friday 30 July 2021.
Hospital visits prohibited.
In-person government services reduced to essentials, encouraging online services.
Occasional outdoor markets suspended for 30 days, with immediate notice from the County.
Regular markets audited for compliance with Covid-19 protocols.
Bars will have to close (as they should already do) strictly at 7pm. Owners or operators who fail to comply with this order will be immediately arrested and their licences revoked "sine die" by the County Government.
All sports tournaments are suspended for 30 days.
All public service vehicles will have to be inspected in the Sub-Counties and certified for Covid-19 compliance by August 6 in order to continue operating.
All other points concern the strengthening of controls for measures already in place.