The Ministry of Health has moved to clarify its protocols related to wearing face masks ahead of the general election slated for Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Reacting to a purported advisory circulating on media platforms to the effect that voters will not be allowed to cast their ballot without a face mask, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said wearing of masks is not a mandatory requirement for voting.
“With regard to wearing of facemasks, we wish to inform the public that the Ministry has not changed the protocols issued on 04 June 2022,” said the CS.
“As such, the wearing of a facemask in open public spaces where one is not in close proximity with others remains optional,” he added.
CS Kagwe says the government through the Ministry of Health has continuously updated and reviewed the COVID-19 containment measures guided and based on analysis of the epidemiological situation of the pandemic in the country and other jurisdictions.
According to the Health CS, the Ministry has not made the use of facemasks mandatory during the voting process and wearing facemasks remains optional as per the earlier directive.
However, he said that one is required to wear a mask when in contact with other people in closed/confined spaces.
