President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, July 27, banned the sale of alcoholic beverages in eateries and restaurants following a surge in Covid-19 cases.
The new directive would be effective at midnight July 27.
Speaking during his highly-anticipated address to the nation from State House, Nairobi, the president directed that all bars would remain closed until further notice.
He further announced a change in operating hours for hotels and restaurants, which will now operate until 7 p.m. - a change from the 8 p.m. deadline
"The relatively low infection rates compared to other countries is giving Kenyans false comfort that the pandemic is not a serious health risk. The Government cannot police the morality of citizens," Uhuru stated.
Bars found operating in contravention of Uhuru's orders will have their licences withdrawn permanently,
The president also directed the Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai to provide a weekly report of all the revoked licenses, and ordered police to spare no politician or individual who is out after curfew hours without being an essential worker.
IG Mutyambai was instructed to submit his weekly report to Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, with Preident Uhuru stating that any withdrawn licence would be permanent and irreversible.
The Nationwide curfew that runs from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. was extended by another 30 days in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The President further announced that all government institutions including sporting facilities, stadia, educational institutions, upon designation as a public health facility, would be availed to the Ministry of Health for isolation and quarantine purposes.
{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/7tYwtHqAtXg.jpg?itok=gq27lUUD","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}
