This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
On May 8, 2020, Mombasa governor Hassan Joho announced measures to insulate residents of Old Town from the adverse effects of the 15-day lockdown imposed by the national government.
As part of these measures, Joho opened three makeshift foodstuff markets in Old Town, which will operate from 9am to 11am daily. To sell in these markets, vendors must undergo a mandatory Covid-19 test.
According to Joho, the County Emergency Response Committee convened to deliberate on the expected outcomes of the lockdown directive. The committee adopted several interventions, including the opening of the food markets, to mitigate the effects of the lockdown.
Additionally, a temporary medical facility has been set up in Old Town to attend to emergency health cases, excluding coronavirus cases. The facility has a 001 hotline number 0100001001. Water will also be supplied for free, with water bowsers stationed at different parts of the area.
Furthermore, HakiAfrica officials will be stationed in Old Town to monitor human rights violations by law enforcement officers. The officers from the commission will be allowed to access any part of the area upon receiving a distress call.
Old Town in Mombasa county was put under a 15-day lockdown due to its identification as a Covid-19 hotspot, with a high number of confirmed cases coming from the estate.
