Kenya has heightened border screening, particularly for visitors from countries where the novel Omicron strain has been discovered.
Anyone entering the East African country must show that they have done a PCR test and show the vaccination certificate.
“We are ensuring that any person coming into the country from those countries where this variant has been identified are properly screened,” said Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache.
She disclosed that the Kenyan government has no intention to close its borders.
“At our borders, we are not taking any chances.” We’ve seen mutations before, and we’ve learned from them. We’re doing everything we can to prevent the variation from entering our region. “In terms of closing our borders, we take a science-based approach rather than a knee-jerk reaction,” she remarked.
The Omicron form has 32 mutations, making it highly transmissible and vulnerable to vaccination resistance.
The variety was initially detected in Southern Africa and has now spread to other parts of the globe.
At the same time, the PS called on Kenyans to go for the Covid-19 vaccinations.
“The World Health Organisation has indicated that Covid is going to be with us way into 2022.
The vaccines we have are potent and can respond against any variant so far. The only guarantee to secure yourself is to get vaccinated,” she added.
