Council of Governors want those found flouting Covid -19 health protocols punished

“There has been laxity in enforcement of protocols especially in the transport, entertainment and market sectors. The political class has continued to be the super spreaders of this virus. This has led to an escalation of Covid-19 cases and the collapse of contact tracing efforts.” Oparanya said.

By Mourice Seretta

The Council of Governors has stated that it will root for strict measures to be taken against anyone that will be found without following laid down guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

Speaking today during the sixth extra-ordinary summit by national and County Governments that sought to find solutions to the pandemic, the Councils Chair Wycliffe Oparanya said that all counties will embark on a campaign dubbed ‘No Mask No Service’ that will see to the effect that only persons wearing face masks will be offered services in counties in a bid to contain the pandemic.

“As counties, we are beginning a campaign dubbed ‘no mask no service.’ Anyone found offering services to someone who is not complying with health protocols will be held liable,” said Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

The Council Chair also said that members of the public and politicians should be punished if found flouting the health protocols so as to contain Cocid-19.

The Governors also want curfew hours reviewed from 11 pm to 9 pm in some of the recommendations presented during the summit.

“The Council of Governors recommends that all containment protocols be implemented in their original form,” he said.

Oparanya said that County Governments had already been overwhelmed by the sharp increase of the cases forcing them to refer patients to hospitals in Nairobi and other places.

“County Governments can no longer admit new patients. It is actually an acute crisis. Many patients are losing the battle en route to Nairobi to seek treatment. We shall be asking that we re-examine the easing of restrictions.” He further said.

In the summit, it was also revealed that 12 counties had not attained the minimum 300-bed capacity as directed by President Kenyatta in early stages of the pandemic in the country.

It was also noted that 11 counties had less than five Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in their isolation facilities.