On March 24, Kenya recorded 25 positive cases of the Covid-19 virus. In a bid to curtail the spread of the disease, the Kenya Ferry Service which manages the vessels that transports people in the Likoni Channel connecting the mainland and Mombasa Island, implemented new measures.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the parastatals' public relations officer revealed that they were instructing all passengers who plan to use the service to have a face mask on.
"Yes, we have told all our passengers to wear face masks from tomorrow, March 25 as a precautionary measure given the volumes of people we handle in a day," they informed.
"In addition to this, we have reduced the capacity of individuals on the ferries transported per trip so as to encourage social distancing between them, which they recommend ought to be 1.5 metres between individuals," the PRO added.
The vessels move over 300,000 people and 6,000 cars daily across the channel.
"We are also appealing to anyone displaying symptoms of the Covid-19 virus such as coughing and sneezing to avoid using the ferry and instead get checked at the nearest health facility", he urged.
The Kenya Ferry Services is not taking any chances as they have also insisted that all passengers from either side of the channel will be required to wash their hands with soap and water before embarking on their trip.
These new measures are in compliance with the government directive issued by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe on Friday, March 20, aimed at reducing congestion in the public transport sector.
The CS however also urged Kenyans to reduce on non-essential travel as this would help in combating the spread of the virus.
"To reduce the risk of transmission in our public transport systems, we encourage as much as possible that persons stay at home unless on essential business. PSV operators have already been asked to observe high levels of hygiene," he told Kenyans.
