10 May 2020

Although people are now allowed to travel to their cattle posts (meraka) and ploughing fields (masimo), permits will still need to be acquired when travelling to such agricultural destinations, within or across the newly designated COVID-19 zones.

This was revealed by permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Jimmy Opelo when addressing a press conference today, May 10.

Mr Opelo said although agriculture was defined as an essential service under COVID-19 national regulations, some agricultural activities were not operating during the lockdown that commenced in early April in order to control the potential spread of the Coronavirus.

Nevertheless, Mr Opelo said with the relaxation of some of the COVID-19 regulations, people would now be able to access their cattle posts, ploughing fields, ranches and farming gardens, but that would be allowed only after the application and processing of a permit.

Such permits, he said, would be rationed to ensure that people’s movement continued to be regulated in line with the existing advice of health authorities and people would have to observe COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Movement of livestock from one disease control zone to another, other than for the purpose of slaughtering, would also be permitted, as would other associated activities for farm management, including animal husbandry, borehole drilling, repair and maintenance, water reticulation as well as the construction of handling facilities such as kraals.

“Other activities from the previous phase of the lockdown such as pest control, sale of agricultural feed, butchery services, vaccinations and sale of agricultural produce will continue with COVID-19 health protocols observed,” Mr Opelo said. Ends