Since COVID-19 (Corona Virus) was first confirmed on 12th March, 2020 in Kenya, so much has changed. We are washing our hands with soap and water for 20 seconds several times a day. We are sanitizing our hands often and adjusting our minds not to touch our faces, especially our eyes, nose and mouth rest we transfer the virus into our bodies. To survive the disease, we must forget, at least for now, our communal way of life! A safe physical distancing of 1.5 metres or three steps apart must be observed. COVID-19 has rudely disrupted our normal way of life. We cannot hold our usual physical office meetings; we cannot gather together for social and religious events. We cannot shake hands or even hug.
For our safety’s sake, most of us must stay or work from home. We must now wear face masks anywhere in public spaces. With the daily curfew issued on 27th March, 2020, we are cautious by what time we must be at home. As if this was not enough, the spread of COVID-19 in Nairobi Metropolitan areas, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa Counties has necessitated for people not to go in or get out these counties. Our children are at home, a time when they should be in school. Many are worried about contracting the disease. This is especially true for our elderly, our health workers and our staff who must go out daily, to offer critical and essential services.
This is the ‘new normal’ way of life for now, at least until COVID-19 is put to a stop! It is not an easy life!
We recognize your efforts. Your sacrifices, your fears and your hopes. Through your dedication and guided by the values we have stood for over a century now: teamwork, passionate for the work we do and keeping promises to the people we serve, we continue to press on. And though times are challenging, we hope better days lie ahead.
As we get used to the ‘new normal’ way of life, we bring to your attention, measures CKL has put in place to ensure smooth operations, a time as now:
- Market Price Stability: Pricing of CKL products have been subsidized for CKL staff. CKL staff at the Head Office can easily buy CKL products such as Kupacide disinfectant at CKL Corner Shop. CKL products in and outside Kenya have remained the same before and during COVID-19 disruption.
- Production Shifts: To observe safe physical distancing of 1.5 metres while at work for staff working at our various production levels, a 24 HR production shift has been worked out to ensure employee health and safety while at work.
- Employee Identification Cards: Every CKL staff has been issued a CKL employee identity card.
- Vehicle Identification Stickers: All CKL fleet working during curfew hours and entering and exiting counties with a lock down have a Kenya Association of Manufacturing (KAM) vehicle stickers. Drivers with at most three assistants have been issued with CKL identification letter while on movement past the curfew hours.
- Office Closing Hours: Due to the daily dusk to dawn curfew, CKL offices will close at 4:00 PM to allow enough time for staff to be home before the curfew.
- Meals Provision: CKL is now providing meals for staff. We are encouraged to observe safe physical distances even while on tea or lunch breaks.
- Visitor Restrictions: No visitor is allowed to enter CKL Offices including production sites.
- Centralized Communication: CKL weekly E-News will be circulated to all staff regarding COVID-19 developing situation and how CKL is implementing COVID-19 precautionary measures to ensure your safety and business continuity during this time. For all feedback, send us on ckl-cares@ckl.co.ke
Children and COVID-19 Pandemic
For our children aged 6-11 years old, here’s a story book to help them cope with COVID-19: My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19.
Let us all strictly observe the directions issued by the government to stay safe.
