Architects to guide on quarantine centres

The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) has come up with a set of regulations to govern how counties should build quarantine centres.

With increasing number of infections, counties are in a rush to set up such centres with some quickly converting schools to host infected individuals.

However, the quality of these facilities based on various factors like safety, space and design has been questioned.

Kenyans in quarantine facilities have been protesting over the poor conditions in the centres, with some posting pictures and videos of the facilities they are hosted in on social media.

Most of these centres lack water and proper sanitary facilities. AAK has launched the Planning Considerations for Setting up of Quarantine Facilities for Covid-19 in Kenya’ a document that is meant to guide the country when it comes to setting up quarantine centres.

The objective of this document, according to AAK president Mugure Njendu, is to provide quick and innovative infrastructure guidelines to public and private health care sector players in response to Covid-19.

“It is advisable that registered professionals are engaged when it comes to putting up these centres,” said Ms Njendu.

“AAK membership stands ready to be engaged on design and supervision of the works. At the back of this publication we have also published contacts of our members who are available to provide this assistance when engaged.”

She continued: “The document addresses issues of space, other basic infrastructure and functional requirements including sanitation, power source, lighting, communications (telephone lines, internet, television, public address systems), heating, ventilation and air conditioning.”

According to the AAK boss, there should be sufficient parking space to allow for evacuation by ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

Also there should be space to ease access to delivery of food, medical and other supplies.

The document has made risk assessment of the facilities that should be put up. It asserts that such an assessment is necessary so as to make room for people as they mingle with each other and lower chances of reinfections.