This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
On May 6, 2020, the government of Kenya declared a cessation of movement in and out of Eastleigh and Old Town in Mombasa, effective 7pm on the same day, in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19.
According to a press briefing by Cabinet Secretary for Health, Mutahi Kagwe, the decision was made after government agencies agreed that the two areas were fast becoming COVID-19 epicenters in the country.
‘If you have a colleague in Eastleigh don’t let them come to stay with you if they have not taken a test. I request people to take responsibility,’ CS Kagwe urged.
Public transportation was also banned from entering the two areas, with the government citing the need to protect people within those areas.
As of May 6, 2020, the number of coronavirus cases in the country had risen to 582, with 47 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours.
Of the 47 new cases, 32 were from Mombasa, 11 from Nairobi, two from Busia, and one each in Kiambu and Kwale.
Majority of the cases in Mombasa were recorded in Old Town, while the ones in Nairobi were recorded in Eastleigh areas.
CS Kagwe also announced that two more patients had succumbed to the disease, raising the total number of fatalities to 26.
The two patients passed away at their homes in Mombasa.
Eight more patients had been discharged, raising the number of recoveries so far to 190, and 122 patients were admitted in hospitals countrywide.
