As the global coronavirus outbreak continues to cause panic across the world, public and private institutions in Mombasa County are taking preventing measures to combat the spread of the disease.
The National Museum of Kenya (NMK) has ordered the closure of the historical Fort Jesus Museum in Mombasa and all other monuments in coast region.
The NMK Museum and Monuments Assistant Director (Coast), Athman Hussein said the institution has also arranged for its employees to work in shifts to avoid physical contacts.
“We have taken this decision to support the government efforts to control further spread of the disease,” said Hussein during an interview with Kenya News Agency in Mombasa on Wednesday.
He confirmed that Fort Jesus Museum which is a key tourist attraction site and other monuments such as Vasco da Gama Pillar and Gede Ruins in Malindi and Taqwa Ruins in Lamu will stay closed indefinitely.
Hussein said this will have negative impact on NMK but a necessary move in order to protect the lives of not only its staff but also nearby residents, visitors and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, a number of public and private institutions have introduced stringent measures, including provision of sanitizers and washing detergents as part of efforts to improve basic hand hygiene.
The Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) is installing 100 taps to provide running water and hand washing detergents to thousands of its passengers.
It is estimated that over 400,000 passengers and 6,000 vehicles use ferry services on a daily basis.
The government has announced a number of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus which included suspension of learning in all education institutions with immediate effect.
Other measures included suspending travel for all persons coming into Kenya from any county with reported coronavirus cases and that only Kenyan citizens and any foreigners with valid residence permits will be allowed to come but must proceed on self-quarantine or to a government designated quarantine facility.
In Mombasa, the county and national governments have taken preventing measures against the spread of the virus that included closure of public beaches and recreational parks.
By Mohamed Hassan
