Governor Salim Mvurya has banned all sporting activities and political gatherings in Kwale in the latest review of Covid-19 mitigation measures.
The decision was made after the county recorded a spike in coronavirus infections.
The cumulative Covid-19 cases stand at 746, with 17 deaths in the region since the pandemic broke out.
Speaking after meeting the county Covid-19 response committee in his office, Mvurya said they have decided to halt sports and other activities to contain the virus spread.
“Due to an increase in the number of positive cases, my team and I have resolved to put in place new measures to break the virus chain,” he said.
The sporting ban also applies to learning institutions and will stay operational until the infections cases go down.
Mvurya said all county official meetings will be done online to reduce the risk of infections.
The governor also directed public and private hospitals to limit the number of visitors.
He said patients should be visited by one person at a time to minimise congestion at the facilities.
The county chief said other Covid-19 regulations outlined by the Ministry of Health are still in place.
He warned that licences for hotels and liquor joints will be revoked if they flout the rules.
Some open-air markets, eateries and bars have been violating most Covid protocols and endangering the lives of residents.
Mvurya said the majority of business places don’t observe the social distancing and that residents gather without masks.
He said the stationed water tanks and sanitising stations at market entrances are empty and customers don’t sanitise.
He warned that county askaris, public health officers and security agents will be patrolling the streets to apprehend anyone breaking the law.
Mvurya advised residents against dropping guard as the virus surges.
He said his administration will intensify the sensitisation campaigns to create more awareness about the virus and protection methods.
By Monday, there were nine Covid-19 patients at the Msambweni Hospital Annex with three on oxygen.
About 7,119 residents had received the vaccines in the county by Monday.
“In the first dose we gave 4,696 jabs and the second one 2,423,” Mvurya said.
He said 10,000 other doses are available to ensure more residents are vaccinated against the virus.
County commissioner Joseph Kanyiri cautioned the public service vehicles against flouting the rules.
Kanyiri urged parents to provide appropriate face masks for their children as school re-opens.
-Edited by SKanyara
