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Kenya: Bars to Close at 7.30pm to Help Tame Spread of Coronavirus

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6 years ago

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Nairobi — Kenya Friday announced new tough measures aimed at combating coronavirus as health officials work to contain the pandemic with seven cases so far confirmed.

The new measures include restricting operational time for entertainment joints which will close at 7.30pm effective Monday, March 23.

Such facilities, the health ministry said, must also define the maximum number of people at any given time, so that the requirement of 1.5 meters self-distancing requirement is met.

Hundreds of people had been tested after showing symptoms similar to the virus, but turned negative, while dozens more still in isolation, according to the country’s Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

Kagwe said cooperation by Kenyans in the second week will determine whether the current crisis will go “full-blown,” even as he announced additional steps that will see the health ministry embark on random testing of members of the public on Saturday, March 21.

“If there is a moment in our country’s history where we need to embrace the Harambee spirit, it is today, it is now. Our actions this week, in particular, will determine whether we shall go into a full-blown crisis, with grave human and economic consequences or whether we shall limit the adverse impact of this disease, save lives and reduce the impact into our economy,” the CS asserted.

Supermarkets were also urged to operate for 24 hours so that more people can have enough time to shop. They are however required to put in place Queue Management Systems and guard against overcrowding by limiting the number of shoppers at any given time.