The city streets are no longer as busy as since the Covid-19 outbreak was reported.
Anyone walking around the Nairobi streets will tell you how
the outbreak has dealt a blow to many businesses. With even restaurants
remaining empty, leaving the security guards hanging on the doors.
All businesses are adopting the idea of sanitizers and
handwashing exercise, in attempts to avoid further spreading of the pandemic.
So far, Kenya has already recorded 7 cases since the first case was reported on
March 13.
Cleaners are now a common image for all businesses and
tasked with dusting and sanitizing surfaces every now and then. You will find
them all over the business premises ranging from the entrances to the main
halls, armed with sanitizing agents.
Financial institutions, including Saccos, are now urging
their clients to scan loan forms and send them to the main office. This will
keep them from having to go physically to the bank, hence reduced contact.
The number of those wearing masks in the streets keeps on
increasing, even after it emerged that they could not help unless taken
together with other measures. Even as businesses fight to keep going, bosses
are contemplating some painful decisions.
While it all begun by "you can undertake office duties
from home," before it advanced to "please consider taking your annual
leave." The version would later change to "think of going for your
annual leave," or else "get fired."
This is due to the Covid-19 menace, which is greatly
increasing with every single day that passes. Many companies, including
prominent hotels and entertainment joints, have reportedly urged their staff to
proceed for forced leave, as they think of a way forward.
Globally, flight companies, which are among worst-hit
businesses, are eyeing the most painful decisions. Virgin Atlantic airline, for
instance, has revealed its intention to suspend operations for 75% of all its
airbuses. This undoubtedly will mean that the staff goes for at least three
months of unpaid leave.
This is to mean that for the leave period, the affected will
have to find survival means, with those servicing their loans finding other
alternatives or engaging their loan institutions for a negotiation.
Jambojet, on Tuesday, suspended its Entebbe and Kigali
flights owing to insufficient clients. The courier attributed the situation to
Covid-19 menace.
"As a result, Jambojet has decided to suspend its
services to Kigali and Entebbe with immediate effect," read a statement by
Jambojet.
KQ company has reported a monthly loss of Sh0.8 billion, for
Chinese destined flights alone. Should the same loss depict to all other
destinations, then Kenya Airways (KQ) must be incurring losses amounting to
billions.
Nairobi Securities Exchange felt the hit from the very first
time Kenya recorded her first infection. The situation was worsened following a
huge sale for shares by panicking investors.
