All businesses in Nairobi's Eastleigh estate have been shut down indefinitely as a primary measure in taming the spread of Covid-19 in the area.
The Eastleigh Business Community has taken the measure with regard to the national directives, cushioning members of the public from contracting the virus.
The business body's Secretary-General Omar Hussein informed that they had moved to impose the directive on short notice, so as to prevent panic shopping by residents.
Hussein stated that the move was in line with the national directive to promote social distancing, and that panic shopping would cause congestion, further exposing members of the public to even greater risk.
“This is necessary since coronavirus is real and most of the people in the malls are not following the regulations set up by the government,” Hussein stated.
The Eastleigh Business Community called upon both the national and county governments to undertake fumigation of the streets in the area, and garbage collection, as residents are urged to remain within the confines of their homes, and maintain proper hygiene.
The community asked that the government conduct mass testing for the virus in the area, noting the large population in the robust city estate.
Health CAS Mercy Mwagangi had on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, stated that the government was on the verge of rolling out mass testing of Kenyans to help curb the spread Covid-19 in the country, with Kibra Slums being a key area of focus in Nairobi County.
Speaking during the daily Covid-19 press briefing at Afya House, Nairobi, Mwangangi informed that quarantine centres, hotel facilities and hospitals would be the first areas considered owing to the number of positive cases registered in those areas.
“We are rolling out mass testing taking into consideration the risk profile of mass clusters. In total, the first phase of mass testing will see approximately 12,000 testing kits deployed to target areas in the next few days,” she stated.
On March 28, 2020, Nairobi County Health CEC Hitan Majevdia led a fumigation exercise in Eastleigh, where he also educated members of the public on necessary safety measures to be undertaken in the fight against Covid-19.
