NAIROBI, Nov 22, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Kenyans will have to prove

they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to gain access to
government services, public transport and public places such as
national parks, bars and restaurants under new health regulations.

    The move comes despite Kenya recording a declining number of
coronavirus infections in recent weeks, but against a backdrop of
increasing restrictions in some European countries that are
battling soaring cases.

    Kenya will require people to show vaccination certificates
from December 21, and is planning a 10-day mass inoculation
campaign from November 26, Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said in a
statement issued late Sunday.

    He said Kenya had seen a "marked decrease" in the number of
severe cases and deaths, with a positivity rate over the last 14
days ranging from 0.8 percent to 2.6 percent.

    Since the start of the pandemic, the East African powerhouse
has recorded a total of 254,629 cases and 5,325 deaths.

    "I have no doubt that looking at these statistics, it's very
easy to become complacent and fail to appreciate the magnitude of
the problem that we still face with the pandemic," Kagwe said.

    "The current decline in the number of new infections may be
attributed to a buildup of immunity both through natural exposure
to the disease and the ongoing vaccination exercise. Nonetheless
we know that it's not yet time to celebrate."

    Only 2.4 million people, or less than nine percent of Kenya's
adult population have been vaccinated, according to official
figures, compared with a government target of 30 million by the
end of next year.

    Kagwe voiced concern about the low update of Covid shots,
particularly among the elderly, and said it had slowed after the
lifting of a night-time nationwide curfew last month.

    Under the new measures, in-person access to government
services including hospitals, education, tax and immigration
offices, will be limited to those carrying proof of vaccination.

    Similar restrictions will be imposed for public places such as
national parks and game reserves, hotels, bars and restaurants,
while all indoor gatherings will be limited to two-thirds
capacity.