The Kiambu county government has set aside Sh30 million to combat Covid-19 and banned discos, music extravaganzas and table pool games.
However, Governor James Nyoro told journalists on Tuesday that bars, pubs and night clubs would not be closed.
“We have decided not to close night clubs but we will be monitoring what is happening. We are stopping all video playing shops, pool games, discos, live bands, music extravaganza and encouraging parents to make sure their children stay at home to avoid overcrowding,” Nyoro said after a consultative meeting with national government officials.
The Sh30 million has been wired to Thika, Kiambu and Gatundu level five hospitals to specifically mitigate against coronavirus in Kiambu. The county has 60 beds in isolated wards.
“We have not had any case of the virus and if there is a case it will be communicated. We have established a hotline number and in case the 60 beds are inadequate, we will pitch tents outside the facilities,” the governor said.
He said his government has also consulted Kijabe and St Mulumba hospitals in case public facilities are overwhelmed.
At the same time, the county has waived the bills of 55 patients detained in public hospitals. This will reduce human traffic in hospitals.
“The amnesty has also been extended to the morgues,” Nyoro said.
Seven water companies have been told to instal adequate standpipes and water fountains outside all hospitals, in markets and at police stations and other areas frequented by the public for ease of regular hand-washing.
“We will be requiring that every eating place, including shops, to have a hand-washing facility. We will be inspecting and if we come across a place without a hand-washing facility without soap we will close it,” Nyoro said.
Public service vehicles should also have hand sanitisers. "We are asking supermarkets and malls to discourage idling and loitering on their premises.
The county has provided each sub-county with an ambulance to handle emergencies.
Nyoro dismissed as untrue rumours on social media that a patient had tested positive at Thika Level Five Hospital.
“The supposed patient came coughing and out of caution was isolated. He did not have symptoms of the virus,” he said and cautioned the public against categorising, profiling, discriminating against other races claiming they have the virus.
The governor was accompanied by among others Thika West sub-county deputy commissioner Douglas Mutai.
– mwaniki fm
