LTCcovid Country Profile – Printable Version
3.07.03. Visiting and unpaid carer policies in care homes
As of June 2021 in Kenya, visiting care homes is highly discouraged, especially for individuals who have not undergone Covid-19 testing. The purpose of this guidance is to limit the exposure for residents. Covid-19 cases within care homes are quarantined in a well-ventilated room with a washroom. The Ministry of Health has provided guidelines to manage visitors for those in isolation due to suspected or confirmed Covid-19 infection. Visitors are limited to those providing care and support to those in isolation, with visitors having to wear masks and practice hand hygiene when they leave the isolation centre. Additionally, effort should be made to reduce the frequency of movement in and out of the isolation facility (Ministry of Health, 2020).
Sources: https://ltccovid.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/COVID-19-and-Long-Term-Care-in-Kenya-30-May-1.pdf and https://ltccovid.org/2021/08/05/current-situation-in-relation-to-visiting-in-care-homes-and-outings-for-residents-ltccovid-international-overviews-of-long-term-care-policies-and-practices-in-relation-to-covid-19/
Update for: Kenya Last updated: November 2nd, 2021
3.11. Vaccination policies for people using and providing Long-Term Care
The Ministry of Health in Kenya prioritized the use of COVID-19 vaccine based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) Roadmap and targeted high priority groups (at higher risk of exposure) (Africa Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) https://amref.org/coronavirus/vaccine/) such as health care workers, other front-line workers, individuals above 50 years as well as adults with underlying conditions. Although the Ministry of Health urged eligible populations to receive the vaccines due to the high transmission rates (10-11%), it is not yet mandatory and an individual may decide not to be vaccinated. Whilst receiving the vaccine is very important for all Kenyans, the government is only able to use a phased approach to provide vaccines to different populations in order to reduce the risk of social injustice in case there is inadequate supply of vaccines.
Update for: Kenya Last updated: September 7th, 2021