This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On April 20, 2020, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) commenced mass testing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Port of Mombasa for its employees.
Acting Managing Director Engineer Rashid Salim and General Manager Operations Captain William Ruto coordinated the exercise and were among the first 50 KPA staff to undergo the COVID-19 test.
According to officials from the Mombasa County Health Department, the exercise aims to test at least 1,000 KPA staff at the Port in the first phase.
Results of those who underwent testing on April 20, 2020, will be released by April 21, 2020.
Before the mass testing exercise, 157 staff in the Medical Services Department at the port had been tested, with all 42 employees tested so far returning negative results, according to Eng. Salim.
Eng. Salim reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to combating the spread of the virus through various measures to guarantee the safety of staff and port users.
The Port has implemented several measures, including fumigation of key equipment, sanitization, and hand washing at the gates and entrance to buildings.
Temperature checks are also being conducted on all those entering the port to detect any suspected COVID-19 patients.
Eng. Salim added that the sensitization of KPA employees and the Port Community is ongoing through internal communications channels and local FM radio stations.
General Manager Operations Capt. Ruto noted that no crew of any ship calling at the Port has tested positive, dispelling the misconception that COVID-19 at the Port is being transmitted by cargo ships.
Ships are required by the International Maritime Authority to declare their crew health status and the last ten ports of call.
Those that came from countries that have reported infections by coronavirus are subjected to rigorous inspection and screening, and the crews are not allowed to get off the vessel.
