Population movement has been restricted on Thursday across the Coronavirus (covid-19) hotspots of Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties.
The Coronavirus restrictions, which came into effect last evening will run for the next 21 days over and above the nationwide nighttime curfew in a bid to limit the spread of the covid-19 pandemic.
Roadblocks have been erected at the boundaries of the affected counties manned by police and medical personnel from the ministry of health and national intelligence service.
The cessation of movement targets pedestrians and passengers aboard any form of vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, aircraft or train.
Kwale County Commissioner (CC) Karuku Ngumo said the map of the county is well known and ‘we expect the residents to abide by the restrictions’.
“No movement shall be allowed either in or out of the designated areas except for cargo carrying vehicles and those offering essential services,” he said.
The administrator said the restriction on movement is to try to stem the spread of the infectious disease which causes deadly respiratory problems.
“We all need to respect the government guidelines such cessation on movements, washing hands with soap, wearing face masks and observing social distancing because some people don’t even realize they have got the virus because they don’t display any symptoms,” he said.
People may be sick with the virus for one to 14 days before developing symptoms. The most common symptoms of coronavirus disease are fever, tiredness and dry cough. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
Meanwhile mining firm Base Titanium is disinfecting schools and households in Kwale County in a bid to stop the spread of covid-19.
Pius Kassim, Base Community Relations manager said to help mitigate the spread of covid-19 they are partnering with the county government to set up bulk watering points and hand washing bays in strategic high traffic zones including markets and bus parks.
He said access to water and soap for hand washing is known to be one of the best measures to prevent the spread of covid-19 and that Base will continue working with Kwale County to identify areas for further cooperation.
By Hussein Abdullahi
