State not ready for total lockdown in hotspots

Mural paintings at Buxton county government's flats in Mombasa to create awareness against the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. [Gideon Kivindu, Standard]

The government has rejected a request by governors from counties rocked by coronavirus to impose a total lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19.

In pushing back on the plea for a total lockdown in the counties of Nairobi, Mandera, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale, the State said it could paralyse ferry and port operations and expose residents to hunger despite the county bosses insisting they had mapped areas with vulnerable people who need assistance.