This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
As the fight against the spread of Covid-19 intensifies in Nairobi, over 300 people have been sent to forced quarantine for violating public health laws. The individuals, who were found taking alcohol in private premises, open fields, and bars, partying, and operating outside curfew hours, will be quarantined at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) centre for at least 14 days.
Nairobi police boss Philip Ndolo warned that the government has enough centres to hold those who violate the rules and urged for compliance. He also warned bar owners that they will be punished for allowing revellers to break the rules.
According to Dr. Daniel Yumbya, CEO of the Kenya Medical and Practitioners and Dentists Board, the issue of quarantine shall not be stopped because of inability to pay. He warned that those caught breaking the law will be quarantined at their own cost.
Dr. Yumbya also announced that there are 54 quarantine centres across the country, with six more centres opened at the weekend. So far, some 2,195 people have been released from the mandatory quarantine of 14 days.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi introduced a new measure to ensure compliance with the curfew hours, stating that Kenyans found outside of their houses during curfew will now be assumed to have contacted suspected cases of coronavirus and will be placed under quarantine.
Seven people were arrested on Saturday night in Kirinyaga while travelling from Nairobi to Garissa in disregard of the government's movement restrictions. The group tried to bribe police officers manning a roadblock, but were eventually taken to Karen in Nairobi for 14 days quarantine.
