Ministry of Health’s Patrick Amoth explains reason behind 7pm-5am curfew

Ministry of Health Director General Patrick Amoth now says there is a scientific reason as to why the Kenyan government imposed a 7PM-5AM curfew.

Speaking to Citizen TV’s Trevor Ombija on Monday evening, Amoth said according to science people socialize more in the evenings, thereby losing the requisite social distancing.

“Curfew time was imposed because it makes scientific sense in that people socialize in evenings, that’s when they lose the sense of social distancing,” Amoth said.

Kenya has so far reported 50 cases of the new coronavirus with the Ministry of Health asking Kenyans to join in the war against the pandemic.

Speaking during a Press conference on Monday, Dr. Amoth said the virus is not following a trend saying Kenya could have over 10,000 cases by end of April.

During the same press conference, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said it is now evident that the virus is no longer being imported from outside the country.

So far, Nairobi County has 37 cases, Kilifi 6, Mombasa 4 while Kajiado, Kwale and Kitui each have one case.

He stated that the COVID-19 disease is now being spread through community transmission and urged Kenyans to avoid travelling upcountry to avoid exposing the elderly to the virus

CS Kagwe also reiterated on the need for Kenyans across the country to observe the stipulated curfew time to minimize the spread of the virus.

President Uhuru Kenyatta imposed the countrywide curfew of between 7pm and 5am effective Friday, March 27 as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

The only persons exempted from the curfew are medical professionals, health workers, critical and essential services providers.

Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai warned that those found outside their homes within the stipulated 7pm-5am curfew period would be dealt with according to the law.