Mt Kenya counties close pubs

At least three counties in Mt Kenya region have ordered closure of all pubs and night clubs over the coronavirus fears.

Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has suspended market days, ordered the closure of night clubs, discos and recreational facilities, including Nteere Park and all stadiums.

He said the move was geared towards eliminating crowding in public places as a means to control spread of the deadly virus.

Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria was the first to order the night clubs and bars closed, although a spot check showed the order was being ignored across the county.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Mumbi also issued a similar directive yesterday, alongside a raft of measures to contain the spread of covid-19, among them closing all bars and liquor selling places for the next 30 days.

Meru County has also announced Sh20 million had been budgeted to aid in initial preparations for response against the coronavirus pandemic.

The county’s isolation facility bed capacity has also been increased to 35 beds from the initial 20. Mboroga Health Centre in Buuri Sub-county has been cleared off other patients to be the main fully-fledged isolation facility.

Mr Kiraitu has also put a limit to the number of family members allowed to visit patients in hospital.

“We shall not allow more than two immediate family members to visit patients admitted to county health facilities,” said the governor.

All Meru County government officers and staff members, except those from essential county ministries such as Health, have also been ordered to work from home.

Besides suspending market days, Kirinyaga County Government has set up a 14-bed isolation ward at Kerugoya Referral Hospital, where confirmed cases of Covid-19 will be admitted.