Kenyans are reacting to the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic by travelling upcountry a week after the disease hit the country.
Seven positive cases have been reported so far and they are under observation. In the latest update, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe says that three more people are awaiting results at Mbagathi Hospital with another case in Kilifi also awaiting results. 44 people have been discharged after the expiry of 14 days.
The government has asked Kenyans to take all precautionary measures as the positive cases may increase in the coming week.
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With the government directive closing all schools and pushing for social distancing, Kenyans have jumped at the opportunity to travel away from the city with QuickBus, an online bus ticketing system saying they have experienced up to 40% increased booking in the month of March compared to last month.
QuickBus Director of Growth, Jefferson Aluda says the surge experienced is as a result of panic on the spread of Corona Virus, as well as students returning home following the closure of schools.
“The main routes we have seen a surge include Mombasa, Meru, Kisumu, Busia and Kakamega,” he said
The firm that entered the Kenyan market in January has over 50, 000 active users of their ticketing system.
It has signed up transport firms such as Greenline Limited, Trinity Express and Imani Coach.
The government has already suspended all public gatherings in the country and closed all schools while public and private businesses were asked to work from home in a bid to contain the pandemic.
Kagwe has also directed that all people coming arriving from countries reporting the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed over 10,000 lives globally self-quarantine for 14 days.
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“We hope that everything comes back to normal as soon as possible, should you travel, take good care of yourself, in terms of sanitizing and following instructions from experts,” he added.
Reckitt Benckiser Marketing Manager, Africa Expansion Trezah Kinoru says, in case you are travelling, avoid over –crowded places and sanitize your surfaces.
“Avoid touching your face, wash your hands, we can never overemphasize on that, sanitize your surfaces, disinfect your clothes, and remember good health is all in your hands,” she cautioned.
The entire world is in panic following the pandemic coronavirus outbreak.
Businesses, learning, banking institutions, and government services have been halted in countries that have been largely hit by the virus.
The virus is believed to have originated from Wuhan, in a market selling wild animals in China.
There are close to 10, 000 deaths globally, with about 247, 000 infections and a recovery of 88, 000 people.
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