Published: 06.04.2020, 23:34
3 min read
As the coronavirus makes its way across Europe, Asia, and North America, Africa’s number of positive cases remains relatively low. However, as of Saturday, March 21st, 35 out of Africa’s 54 nations have confirmed cases of the virus.
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Global health officials have been concerned about the impact the pandemic will have on Africa, due to the fact that many African countries already had struggling health systems. This new pandemic has begun right as Ebola, another deadly virus, is waning in parts of Central Africa.
As the first cases of the coronavirus were reported in Africa, the continent’s nations immediately began implementing measures to slow the infection rate.
For instance, after only eight cases were confirmed in Nigeria, the country’s government ordered the closure of schools in the capital city, Lagos. Two weeks ago, South Africa banned international visitors who are from high-risk countries. Furthermore, schools were closed in the region and drive-through testing centers opened up in Johannesburg.
Another preventive measure that has begun to be implemented is the temporary closure of betting shops. Kenya, which had its first coronavirus-related death on March 26th, ordered the suspension of betting shops on March 22nd. The BCLB (Betting Control and Licensing Board) mandated a temporary closure of betting shops in order to comply with a press release made by the Cabinet Secretary Minister of Health that same day.
Mutahi Kagwe, the Health Cabinet Secretary and Chairman of the National Emergency Response Committee, let the media know that eight more Kenyan patients had tested positive for the coronavirus. The total number of infected patients at that point in time was 15. Furthermore, 363 people who had come into contact with the infected patients were being surveilled by the government.
Kagwe emphasized the importance of adjusting your lifestyle in order to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus. He also added that all international flights will be suspended, starting from March 25th.
Anybody who enters the country from international travel before flights are shut down must undergo mandatory quarantine. The quarantine would take place at a facility of the government’s choosing, and the quarantined person would have to pay any expenses.
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Peter Mbugi, the director of the BCLB released a memo to betting operators in order to explain his decision. Due to the recent development of coronavirus cases in the country, it is essential to close down casinos and betting shops to protect citizens’ health.
Perhaps, because Kenya is taking such measures even though there have only been a few cases in the country, they will be able to prevent the spread of the virus. The country’s economy and gambling industry will definitely be negatively impacted, but numerous lives could be saved. It is also possible that the Kenyan iGaming industry will see a surge in activity, now that land-based casinos and betting shops have been closed.
