More stringent measures as Mombasa businesses heighten precaution over Coronavirus

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Traders in Mombasa /file

Business premises within Mombasa on Wednesday escalated their precautionary measures in continuing efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, whose infection rate in the country reached seven on Wednesday.

At the Bandari Sacco next to the Mombasa port main entrance, security personnel allowed only five people into the banking hall at a time, in line with the recommendation to avoid congestion and keep social distance between customers.

Customers had to wait outside and got allowed access in groups of five after the previous lot of five had been served and exited the banking hall.

Also read: Coronavirus cases in the country rises to seven

The same was witnessed at a few banks within Mombasa including Kenya Commercial and Equity banks, a move that some customers took offense with.

“Call me the manager. You cannot keep me outside here when I need to be served. That is disrespectful,” shouted one impatient customer at the Bandari Sacco, as the security officer manning the entrance tried unsuccessfully to explain to him.

A drive across Mombasa streets by Baraka FM, revealed business going on as usual but noted lesser crowds on the streets, an indication that some caution was being taken.

In Nairobi, local banks agreed to give relief on personal loans based on individual’s financial circumstances following effects of the Coronavirus.

Central Bank Governor Patrick Njoroge also said all money coming to banks would be quarantined for a week to prevent spread of the virus.

Charges on bank balance inquiries through mobile banking were also scrapped, in the meeting at state house that was attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Earlier this week, mobile telephone service providers Safaricom and Airtel waived charges on all transactions below sh.1,000/=, all in effort to cushion Kenyans from economic effects of the Coronavirus.

Also read: Safaricom waives fees for M-pesa transactions below sh.1,000

The virus outbreak continues to slow down social and economic activities across the country, region and world, with fears of a major economic crisis if the pandemic will not be contained with speed.

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