Uhuru issues Executive Order on coronavirus, sets up taskforce

FILE PHOTO | President Uhuru Kenyatta signs into law the The Urban Areas and Cities (Amendment) Bill 2017, The Petroleum Bill 2017 and the Energy Bill 2017 on March 12, 2019. PHOTO | PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued an Executive Order following the escalating number of coronavirus cases around the world that also pose a risk to Kenya.

According to him, Kenya is an international transport hub with 70% of passengers in transit.

“There is a significant threat arising from the potential spread of the coronavirus to Kenya from countries that have new and ongoing outbreaks of the pneumatic disease,” his statement reads.

The taskforce is to be comprised of the Health CS and counterparts from Defense, Foreign Affairs, ICT and Transport.

Other members are Principal Secretaries and Directors from different ministries.

They are to coordinate preparedness, prevention and response as well as coordinate capacity building of health workers.

The taskforce will also be expected to ensure enhanced surveillance at all entry points into Kenya and coordinate supply of testing kits, protective gear and other medical equipment.

President Kenyatta further ordered that the national isolation and treatment facility at Mbagathi Hospital be completed and ready to receive patients within 7 days.

He also dissolved the Cabinet’s Adhoc Committee on Health and Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on Government Response to the coronavirus outbreak.

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