Uhuru Allows Bars to Resume Operations, Extends Nationwide Curfew by 60 Days

President Kenyatta has allowed bars to resume operations six months after they were shut to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The reopening of the drinking joints is part of the government’s gradual re-opening of the economy after the Covid-19 disruption.

Speaking during the Covid-19 National Conference at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Monday, Kenyatta said bars will be allowed to operate daily until 10 pm effective Tuesday. He explained that after assessing the situation, health officials advised a phased re-opening of bars. 

“You can now go and drink alcohol,” said Kenyatta as he warned Kenyans to continue observing social distancing rules.

Uhuru further lifted a ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks in restaurants, which are now required to close at 10 pm.

The nationwide daily curfew was extended by a further 60 days but will now run between 11 pm to 4 am as opposed to 9pm to 4 am.

“As an affirmation that the enemy is within our borders, we continue to record new infections every day. In that regard, we must continue adhering to the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health,” said Kenyatta.

The decision to ease Covid-19 containment measures was informed by the declining infection rate, which stands at about 4.4 percent.

For the past month, the country has been registering less than 200 cases daily. So far, Kenya has recorded 38,168 cases of Covid-19, 700 deaths, and 24,681 recoveries.

In addition, Uhuru reviewed the number of people allowed to attend funerals and weddings from 100 to 200 while worship places can hold up to a third of their normal capacity.

“Experience has taught us that we are most vulnerable and fragile at the moment we think we have won…if we have won one battle against Covid-19 we have not yet won the war, the possibility of a second wave of this pandemic is real as we have seen in other countries,” said Uhuru.