This archive report was first published on 25 April 2020.
On April 23, 2020, the Port of Mombasa was flagged as a coronavirus hot spot by the Kenyan health ministry, prompting the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Kenya Ports Authority to take urgent action.
As of last week, 13 out of 600 KPA workers tested positive for the virus, bringing the total cases at the port to 22.
"We have taken a number of stringent measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 at the Port of Mombasa," said acting KPA managing director Salim Rashid. "Following mass testing of over 600 employees, 13 were found to be positive and are undergoing treatment."
Among the measures implemented by KPA include temporarily suspending the bagging of loose cargo such as fertilizer and rice, which involves large numbers of workers and exposes them to infection.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Revenue Authority has ordered that all trucks entering the country at different Kenyan borders be fumigated and the crew screened before being allowed into the country.
Commissioner of Customs and Border Control Kevin Safari explained that the initiatives are aimed at managing the spread of Covid-19 at ports of entry and transit corridors countrywide.
"All cargo trucks crossing international land border points shall have a maximum of three crew members who must be screened at the border points by port health officials," said Mr. Safari. "Fumigation of cargo trucks shall be mandatory and special hotels and lodges will be designated for the cargo crew."
