Uhuru convenes emergency meeting with security team over coronavirus

Uhuru convenes emergency meeting with security team over coronavirus

President Uhuru Kenyatta convened an emergency meeting with National Security Council over the coronavirus situation in Kenya.

A statement from State House on Friday said the meeting with the President agreed on the enforcement of the directive barring Government officials from undertaking non-essential travel out of the country.

Businesses and private citizens are also to be advised against engaging in non-essential travel especially to high-risk areas.

The meeting also resolved to have all returning Kenyans and other visitors from high risk areas be directed to self quarantine for not less than 14 continuous days in line with global practice and as recommended by the WHO.

As part of the continuous messaging on safe hygiene, all educational institutions are to be directed to ensure that safe hygiene is practiced and enforced daily, especially the washing of hands with soap and water.

The meeting also agreed to have specific prevention strategies to take care of low income and vulnerable populations especially in informal settlements.

“These efforts will leverage on existing community structures including chiefs, ward administrators, religious leaders and Nyumba Kumi elders to raise awareness and coordinate responses,” the statement from State House reads.

During the meeting, the Head of State was also briefed on measures that have been taken to cushion the country against the viral disease.

They include mandatory screening of all persons entering Kenya through airports, sea ports and land crossings and isolation and treatment capacity at Mbagathi Hospital which is now ready for use.

Other measures are establishment of isolation capacity in level 4 and 5 hospitals across the country in collaboration with County Governments; provision of backup capacity for treatment at Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as well as privately owned health facilities.

Another measure is training and sensitization of healthcare workers, service providers in the transport sector including matatu crews, taxis, security personnel, airport and border staff among others.

President Kenyatta was also informed of the suspension of international conferences, meetings and events scheduled to take place in Kenya for a period of 30 days.

Suspension of non-essential international travel by Government officials; provision of personal protective equipment to all County health facilities, security and response teams and enhanced diagnostic capability at the National Influenza Center and KEMRI are also part of the preparedness process by both the National and County Governments.

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coronavirus

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