Essential services not affected, providers try to comply with rules
Bernard Gitau @benagitau
While the coronavirus is causing sports arenas and learning institutions closed and burials and weddings suspended, most essential services remain open.
A spot-check by People Daily in banks, the public transport sector, gyms, barber shops, beauty parlours, supermarkets, lifts and taxis, show that Kenyans remain unbowed by the virus.
Most service providers are, however, adhering to hygiene standards.
At the Premier Fitness Centre in Nairobi, operations are ongoing but according to the management, clients have reduced by almost a half.
Kept away
Angelina Ndolo, the administrator, said they have introduced a sanitising equipment and disinfectants for gym machines.
“Fitness centres are among areas shared by the public hence high hygiene standards are required. We are sanitising our clients at the entrance and also inside the rooms. Machines are also disinfected regularly,” she said.
Ndolo said those who fear the virus have kept away.
While most barber shops and salons appear clean, clients are exposed to viruses due to the big number of people seeking services. But most operators said they are on top of things.
At the Clippers Joint Hair Salon, clients have their hands sanitised outside and are required to wash their hands and heads before they are attended to.
Irene Makau, a hair stylists, said the measures are in accordance with the government directive to keep the coronavirus at bay.
“Our customers’ health and safety is our priority and we cannot risk ours too. We are disinfecting the shaving machines. We are putting on gloves, masks,” she said.
Though the business is slowing as some customers opt to stay away, Makau remains optimistic all will be well. He advises those who are suspicious of barbershops to buy shaving machines and shave at home.
At the restaurants in the central business district, most are sanitising the hands of customers at the entrance. They also ensure there is sufficient space between customers.
At Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the management has restricted the number of people who visit wards. Only next of kin are allowed in the facility.
Digital hailing taxis and some matatu operators are sanitising customers hands before boarding but most acknowledge that they are exposed.
Bank rules
James Kiarie said the national and county governments should carry out mass disinfection of public service vehicles.
“Although matatus and taxis are using sanitisers, people are touching every part of the vehicle hence mass spraying is the solution,” he said.
In most banks, only few clients are allowed in the waiting bay at a time to avoid crowding. Banks are also encouraging phone transactions to minimise contact.
According to United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, you are supposed to cover coughs and sneezes while in public places.
