Defiant motorists nabbed for flouting Covid-19 guidelines

Harrison Kivisu 

Mombasa bound motorists flouting Covid-19 protocols had a difficult morning yesterday after security operations nabbed non-compliant ones at Bonje roadblock.

Led by the Mombasa County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo, the inspection of non-compliant motorists both personal and transit vehicles was occasioned by the increase in Covid-19 infections in the coastal city in recent days.

Operation was enforced by a multi-agency forces and will extend to other sectors to ensure full compliance of Covid-19 safety guidelines. 

 “The exercise is intended to create public awareness on the need to observe the set Covid-19 mitigation measures for people to wear face masks, observe social distance and use sanitizers when on board vehicles among other health directives,” said Kitiyo.

Following the rise in virus infections in Mombasa where emergency hospital wards and isolation centrer have recorded full occupancy, the government would not wish for more people to fall victims and pressure the health systems further, Kitiyo said.

 He said 94 people have so far died from corona in Mombasa with  3,000 infections.

 The figure is based on the estimation since most people have not been tested with many people on home based care.

Daily reporting

 He observed that the fluctuating numbers from daily reporting of the pandemic has been occasioned by backlog in data after delays in testing, so when the results of the statistics increase alarmingly.

The commissioner further confirmed that only a few people flouting the Corona restrictions had been arrested and asked to produce the required gear after which they will be released under warning.

He commended the long distance buses and matatus for complying with the Ministry of Health directives, and urged others to follow suit. 

He appealed to matatu operators to equip their vehicles with sanitisers, instructing passengers to wear masks and maintain social distance.