COVID-19: Mombasa bars people with flu symptoms from boarding ferries

FILE PHOTO: A ferry in Mombasa. COURTESY: Daily Nation

The Mombasa County government on Wednesday announced that people exhibiting flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to board ferries as county authorities implement measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The order was contained in a joint statement by Governor Hassan Joho and the chairman of the County emergency response committee on Covid-19 Gilbert Kitiyo.

“The measures which must be observed by ferry users include hand washing and use of handkerchiefs or a piece of cloth for covering the mouth and nose. Matatus, tuktuks, boda bodas and hawkers to be moved away from the parking stations around the ferry to create space for crowd management,” the statement read in part.

The statement further ordered such individuals to get medical attention from the nearest health centres while hospitals have been directed to set aside a number of beds specifically for coronavirus patients.

The Kenya Ferry Services has already carried out a fumigation exercise on the ferries but some users maintain that the principle of social distancing is still not being adhered to on them.

Mombasa becomes the latest county to announce measures to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

Machakos County announced a ban on boda boda, maruti and tuk tuks to avert the spread of corona infections and waived taxes for the operators until December 31.

Tharaka-Nithi County banned gatherings at marketplaces, bars, churches, weddings and funerals.

In Kitui, Governor Charity Ngilu suspended market days and the sale of miraa. She also asked public transporters to keep passenger lists and their contacts for easy tracing.

Embu County Governor Martin Wambora ordered all bars to be closed for 30 days and he directed that the miraa market be moved from the central business district.

Source(s): Daily Nation