Restaurants are only allowed to until 4pm and close despite the presidential extension of the dusk-to-dawn curfew from 7pm to 5am to 9pm till 4am, the government has said.
The announcement was made by the director of Public Health Francis Kuria who stated that the directive shall remain as the health ministry continues to consult on the way forward.
Mr. Kuria noted that after President Uhuru Kenyatta extended the curfew last Saturday, some restaurants have gone ahead to further extend their operational hours to as late as 10pm with some serving alcohol as the main business.
“The curfew was extended for those who want to do meaningful business. As a ministry we are reviewing the protocols in use for the operations of eateries and restaurants and will be released to the public in due course,” Kuria said.
He added that law enforcement agents have been instructed to crack down on those flouting this directive. Kuria also reiterated that facilities found failing to adhere to any of the Covid-19 regulations will have their permits revoked or permanently withdrawn.
Earlier in the day restaurant operators had through the Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) urged the government to extend their operation time to 8pm.
They argued that the extension of the national dusk-to-dawn curfew to 9pm should also apply to kenyans in restaurant businesses.
“We request to be allowed to operate up to at most 8pm, as our operators have their own arrangements for staff accommodation and transport, which means that curfew hours will be observed,” said PERAK patron Patrick Muya.
