Anyone working in the tourism sector and in activities aimed at visitors will be able to vaccinate even if they have not reached the age of 58. The decision, which had been in the air for some time and had been forced by the trade associations of public places and the tourism sector, was confirmed by both the Minister of Tourism Najib Balala and the health offices of the counties that have most to do with hospitality.
Balala has in recent days launched the hospitality and tourism sector vaccination programme in Nairobi for hoteliers, tour drivers, travel agents, restaurant staff and bar employees. After the capital, the awareness-raising programme combined with the vaccination operations will move to the other four counties currently under lockdown, before reaching the rest of the country. The aim is to vaccinate everyone working in the tourism and hospitality sector as soon as possible to ensure that they reopen in step with other international destinations.
Vaccination is essential," Balala said, "and will help our tourism to recover.
The health sector has also given the green light to vaccinate people working in restaurants, hotels and tourism-related activities, even if they are under the age of 58.
During the presentation of the tourism vaccination campaign, Balala also announced that from 2022 Kenyans who want to travel outside the country will have to have a vaccination passport.
"The government is consulting with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), to create the vaccine passports," the Minister confirmed, "the vaccine passport will be our reality.
As was the case with the former yellow fever vaccination card, we will have a vaccination card for COVID-19, and probably the citizen who wants to travel will have to be vaccinated every year."