Mombasa County has ordered all nightclubs closed for the next 30 days as a measure to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Governor Hassan Joho and County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo issued the directive on Saturday, a day after Kenya confirmed its first case of the Covid-19 disease.
The tourist hub is volatile due to its points of entry through the port of Mombasa and Moi International Airport.
In a press briefing at his office, Governor Joho and Mr. Kitiyo said the order was with immediate effect. They said bars and restaurants will operate up to 11 pm.
“But minimise music and dancing. The [health] committee has resolved that agencies put in place necessary measures at all points of entry and mobilise the human resource,” Mr Joho said.
The committee further suspended all public gatherings, inter-school functions and meetings including those for religious purposes.
“We have suspended prison visits for the next 30 day. We have also minimised visits to the sick in hospitals to two immediate family members. We have suspended inter-agency, inter-institution and inter-religious meeting and gatherings. We will conduct door to door sensitisation on good hand hygiene,” the county chief said.
“We will further conduct aggressive hand washing campaigns in all markets and slums.”
Religious institutions were ordered to provide worshippers with hand sanitisers, soap and water.
The instructions are similar to those the government issued on Friday