Photo by Joseph Kamolo/KNA.
Emergency Committee on Coronavirus in Mombasa County Co-Chaired by both the Mombasa Governor, Hassan Ali Joho and the County Commissioner (CC), Gilbert Kitiyo has declared that the County is ready for a total lockdown and to have the people remain indoors for 30 days.
Speaking during a rollout of relief food distribution to over 227,000 vulnerable people in the County, Mombasa Governor said the efforts to avail sufficient food to families of five to last for a month have started.
The package includes food, sanitary and medical provisions, including rice, maize flour, sugar, salt, multipurpose bar soaps, sanitary towels and paracetamol will put Mombasa residents at better positions should the current Coronavirus situation prompt a total lockdown.
The Governor thanked well-wishers who injected their finances, food and other provision to the success of meeting the earlier target of Sh.700 million to feed the deserving population in the area.
The multi-agency team tasked to collect the food items for Mombasa residents called on the people to heed to the calls by the government authorities and stay safe.
Governor Joho said the problem with people is not taking the Corona disease with the serious magnitude it deserves, saying many are still risking their lives and those of their loved ones from the reckless lifestyles they are still leading.
The Governor reiterated on the seriousness of the coronavirus disease, asking locals to follow international news to see how deadly COVID-19 is and where people are buried in mass graves of up to 60 people at ago.
“Important people left their businesses and work to sit in meetings figuring out how to provide food for you in Mombasa yet you are being forced to take care of yourselves” lamented the governor
He reiterated that if people took the disease with the weightiness it deserves it can take only one month to win the war on the disease as it has happened in other countries.
He however, warned the disease will last longer if people play cat and mouse games when they are asked to observe social distancing, wash hands and isolate themselves when they embark from infected areas.
Kitiyo said the Government will work hand in hand with the County Government to enforce laid down strategies to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.
The CC observed the security agencies are on high alert to fight the disease and security will be beefed up in areas where it is deemed necessary.
He said security and health officers will continue arresting and placing under quarantine people who flout government directives on stemming the pandemic.
By Joseph Kamolo
