Since the announcement on Saturday of the easing of the restrictive measures imposed since the end of March, activities have resumed in full swing in the capital Nairobi: students in their unified costumes have started to fill the city’s streets, restaurants are competing with their diversified menus and tempting offers to attract more customers, and the circulation of vehicles and trains has resumed its normal rhythm.
These relaxations decided in favor of a sharp decrease in infections which fluctuated between 74% in Nairobi and 89% in the port city of Mombasa as well as the positivity rate which fell from more than 18% during the last week of March to around 10% currently, have provoked strong reactions within the population as well as in professional circles, particularly in the tourism sector, the most affected by the restrictive measures, and in sport.
Tourism professionals have hailed the lifting of the lockdown as a “breath of fresh air.” “This is good news for the tourism industry, especially on the Coast. Tourism thrives when travel and accessibility work. The lockdown in Nairobi and four other counties had essentially halted accessibility to the coastal region,” said Sam Ikwaye, chief executive officer of the Coast Branch of the Kenya Hoteliers and Caterers Association.
“With the resumption of domestic flights announced by Kenya Airways and the lifting of restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles between counties in the country, all tourist circuits can finally operate,” Mr Ikwaye added.
For his part, Solomon Wao, CEO of One World Adventures, a tourism promotion company, welcomed with “great relief” the lifting of the movement ban, a move he argued will allow the majority of domestic tourists to flock to coastal destinations.
“We are relieved. Even though it is the low tourist season, we will still be able to get hotel bookings and flights to Mombasa. We have been eagerly awaiting this decision,” Mr Wao said.
In sports circles, Olympic and world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge welcomed President Kenyatta’s decision to resume sporting activities.
“Our president made a good decision. I think he took into consideration several sporting deadlines, including the preparation of major events such as the Olympic Games, the World Under-20 Athletics Championships and the Safari Rally World Championships,” Eliud Kipchoge told The Standard newspaper.
For her part, Hellen Obiri, the 5,000-metre world champion, welcomed the measure. “This is good news! I was afraid that the suspension would take too long. I am sure that we will now train well and prepare for the Diamond League meetings and the Olympic Games,” she said.
2024-09-20 01:22:24