Nasio Trust COVID-19 response: Update 1st April 2020
April 2020
There are increasing numbers of cases of Covid-19 in both Kenya and Tanzania. As of 30th March there are 50 confirmed cases in Kenya and 19 in Tanzania and both countries have confirmed their first deaths as a result of the virus.
This is the UK government’s current travel advice:
COVID-19 Exceptional Travel Advisory Notice
- As countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including travel and border restrictions, the FCO advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. Any country or area may restrict travel without notice. If you live in the UK and are currently travelling abroad, you are strongly advised to return now, where and while there are still commercial routes available. Many airlines are suspending flights and many airports are closing, preventing flights from leaving.
- Since 11.59pm (local time) on 25 March, all international flights to and from Kenya have been suspended by the Kenyan Government due to the pandemic.
Local pandemic measures in Kenya include:
- Since 27 March a daily nationwide curfew is in effect starting at 7pm and ending at 5am (local time). During this window, all persons will be required to stay at home or indoors, except for essential service workers.From midnight on 22 March, all bars will remain closed until further notice. Restaurants will be open to operate ‘takeaway’ services only.
- The Government has directed public places to set a maximum capacity to conform to social distance requirements of at least 1.5 meters. You can also expect shops, supermarkets and public transport systems to implement measures to ensure social distancing.
- All meetings, conferences and events of an international nature have been banned. Kenyan citizens have been advised to avoid crowded places and to work remotely where possible.
- The government of Kenya are conducting random temperature screenings in spaces frequented by the general public. If you show signs or symptoms of coronavirus and are able to self-isolate, you can expect to be directed to do so. If you show signs or symptoms of Coronavirus and self-isolating is not an option available to you, you can expect to be taken into a State health facility by the Kenyan authorities.
Airports in Tanzania remain open however the Government of Tanzania have put in place strengthened screening measures for all arriving passengers including mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving from high risk countries, even for those without symptoms. You should check with your airline or travel company for the latest information. Note that all Nasio Kilimanjaro climbs (and Kenya volunteer trips) for the foreseeable future have been suspended.
Nancy and Jonathan currently remain in Kenya. We ask you to keep them and all the Nasio team and the communities we support in your prayers.
The Nasio team are focusing on being able to continue to feed the most vulnerable children and families as far as they are able during the heightened restrictions locally and are currently feeding the most vulnerable children once a day but in staggered groups of only 5 at a time to ensure social distancing requirements are met.
This story is listed in: Achievements, Coronavirus
