President Kenyatta orders all bars, restaurants be closed by 9pm

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday revised the closing time for bars and restaurants from 10pm down to 9pm in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19.

This was among new protocols announced by the Head of State who chaired the sixth extraordinary summit on the pandemic at State House, Nairobi, earlier in the morning.

The new closing time for bars, restaurants and eateries was adjusted in line with the changing of the curfew time from 11pm to now start at 10 pm through to 4am.

“The nationwide curfew is extended upto January 3, 2021, and beginning tonight, the curfew will now be enforced between 10pm and 4am. In consequence of variation of the 10pm curfew, all bars, restaurants and other establishments open to the public must now close by 9pm,” he said.

The Head of State however continued to urge bar and restaurant owners to ensure compliance with government measures aimed to thwarting the virus, warning that those that fail to do so will be closed.

“In view of restrictions within the hospitality sector, I urge all operators of hotels, restaurants, eateries and other establishments that sell alcohol on wholesale or retail to do all that is necessary to ensure enhanced compliance with Ministry of Health guidelines and protocols, and those who fail will have their establishments immediately shut down,” he stated.

President Kenyatta, in his earlier opening address to county governors during the extraordinary summit, had fired a warning shot to bars that have been seen as operating beyond curfew hours.

Bar and hotel owners on Tuesday expressed confidence of remaining in operation saying the wider hospitality sector has worked hard to abide by re-opening protocols issued by the Ministry of Health.