This archive report was first published on 7 June 2020.
On June 7, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the COVID-19 lockdown in Mombasa's Old Town, bringing relief to residents who had been under restrictions for three months.
Residents, who had been anxiously waiting for the announcement, turned to God in gratitude, praising him for the 'miracle'.
"We have suffered enough. Freedom at last. We were stressed to the core; no jobs, no food and a foreign disease which was surreal. We now need to go back to our lives because the disease is among us," said Ramadhan Said, a resident.
However, the interim vice chairman of the Old Town Covid-19 response team, Jalab Ashraf, urged residents to continue observing Ministry of Health directives, including wearing face masks.
Despite the challenges, the lockdown had brought some positive opportunities, according to Dr Ashraf. "There are some massive and positive opportunities from this lockdown, a silver lining. Since the lockdown, our youth have been engaging in empowerment projects especially cleaning the environment, they are no longer sitting idle in the streets," he said.
Businesses in the area had been severely affected by the lockdown, with traders like Mrs Nargis Shee lamenting the loss of income.
"Businesses were shut down due to the lockdown. We have three months' rent areas. How will we pay the landlords? We want help from the government," said Ms Shee.
Residents were also concerned about the economic impact of the lockdown, with many struggling to make ends meet.
"Our economy has collapsed. Mr Kenyatta, I know you don't know but we are really suffering. It has been three months since I held cash in my hands. We beseech you, we need help especially in the rent areas. Tenants are suffering," said Mrs Zulfar Abdhallah.
As the lockdown was lifted, residents were urged to adapt to the new normal and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.
"What's next after lifting of lockdown? I urge you my fellow residents - please let's embrace the new normal and accept it until we suppress the disease," said businessman Said Mabruok.
