No new case of Coronavirus as Government warns of critical times ahead

By Machuki Dennson

The spread of CORONAVIRUS in Kenya remains only seven confirmed cases as four suspected cases have been admitted at Mbagathi hospital isolation unit. Of the four one case has already tested negative and the other three are waiting for results.

This is according to the cabinet secretary for health Mutahi Kagwe during his daily updates on COVID-19 on Friday evening.

While addressing the nation, the CS said seven people are being monitored at the moment and that 44 others who had been quarantined have been released after 14 days of isolation.

While outlining further measures of precautionary Mutahi has directed that all 14-seater matatus to carry only 8 people at a time.  25-seaters have been directed to carry only 15 and others to have a 60% sitting capacity. The rule applies to SGR and other public transport trains. Mutahi went ahead to state passengers must be sit far apart while on transit.

As the economy is set to be hit hard, business people will again face it tougher beginning next week as the both the CS and the Isiolo  governor Dr. Mohamed Kuti who is the chairman of health docket in the Council Of Governors warned. The two said that learning from other affected nations the next two weeks are going to be very critical to the nation in managing the spread of coronavirus.

The ministry of health has therefore directed that beginning Monday all social places like bars and night clubs must close business as early as 7:30pm.  This will remain in force until further notice. 

However, supermarkets will be allowed to operate 24 hours a day so as to give people opportunity to buy food stuffs. The supermarkets will be required to limit the number of shoppers at their premises at any given time in conforming to the social distancing requirements. “During operational hours they are to define the maximum number of persons at any given time. The facilities are encouraged to introduce home delivery service to support this initiative.” Said the CS.

According to Mutahi, open air markets including those that deal with second hand clothes (mitumba) are high risk transmission environments.

He ordered that managements of local markets ensure that their premises are disinfected on a regular basis.

Vegetable markets are also required to ensure that goods are displayed on disinfected areas and waste is collected daily.