The Murang’a County Government has instructed all alcohol bars and other liquor drinking dens to close down as stringent measures are put in place to prevent spread of coronavirus.
The County security personnel have been deployed in every part to ensure no bar will be operating until such a time the government announces it is safe from covid-19.
During a stakeholders’ meeting at the County headquarters led by the County Governor, Mwangi wa Iria and County Commissioner (CC), Mohammed Barre on Monday, they came up with various instructions which will ensure residents are free from contracting the deadly disease.
Wa Iria said that bars are among high risk areas of spreading the disease and thus they should remain closed until when the country will be safe again from covid-19.
During the meeting the stakeholders agreed that water for washing hands should be provided in all public places as social gatherings were banned.
The Governor said meetings with more than 10 people should be avoided, saying they are engaging churches to see if they can suspend services for a while.
“We are going to engage church leaders and we will deliberate the way forward to see if services which involve big congregations are stopped for a while,” added Wa Iria.
A technical committee composed of officers from both the County and National governments was formed to ensure all laid down directives are adhered to.
“The committee will be hosted at Murang’a Level-5 Hospital and they will have hotline number where members of the public can call and make enquiries or report on any suspicious case,” he added.
Two special wards, one in Murang’a Level-5 and Muriranja Hospitals have been established to cater for any patient with coronavirus like symptoms.
Medical workers in the two hospitals will be provided with the needed protective gears and visitors to those admitted patients was stopped.
“For now we have stopped the visiting of admitted patients in all hospitals within the County. Also those showing corona-like symptoms need to call and they will be picked by health officers from where they are,” added Wa Iria.
The County Commissioner directed all matatu saccos to ensure they observe hygiene, warning those who will not take good care of their passengers risk being barred from operation.
“As we encourage people to avoid unnecessary traveling, we want all matatu saccos to ensure their vehicles are clean and passengers are provided with sanitizers,” stated Barre.
Head teachers were also warned of releasing students without planned transport means.
The Commissioner said some schools have already released their students who are currently loitering in shopping centres.
“All school head teachers let them plan with parents on how the students will travel to their homes by providing better transport means. Learners who will be found loitering in shopping centres will be arrested,” added Barre.
Public health officers assisted by village elders were entrusted with sensitizing residents at grassroots about the disease and on how to avoid contracting it.
By Bernard Munyao
