The Kenyan government on Monday 28th April announced the partial opening of restaurants with the aim of keeping the Economy afloat and ensuring a continuous supply of essential items.
In a raft of measures, the government was keen on ensuring that as the restaurants reopen, they are adhering to all the necessary precautionary measures to stop and mitigate any further spread of Corona Virus. Thus, the persons preparing food in the restaurants will have to undergo the COVID-19 test and washing of hands, sanitizing, wearing of masks will be the order of the day.
The hotel and travel industry has been amongst the hardest-hit sectors of the economy with many service providers closing down due to the lack of consumers as the world grapples to contain the deadly virus.
The government in a bid to salvage the already hard-hit sector has partially reopened restaurants that will meet the below-outlined criteria, outlined by the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mutahi Kagwe.
- All restaurants shall only operate between 5am and 4pm
- Restaurants must limit the number of diners to four people for every 10 square metres space
- Tables in the dining areas must be spaced 1.5 metres apart in the dining area or seat customers group at 1.5 metres apart
- Maintain distance from the back of one chair to the other chair not less than a metre and guests must face each other from a distance of at least one metre.
- Alcohol shall only be sold with a meal in the restaurant and only be served to customers waiting to be served a meal, during the meal, or 30 minutes after the meal has ended.
- Temporary discontinue self-service of ready to eat foods such as salad bars or buffets
- Customer to have their meals delivered individually to the dining table by appointed restaurant stewards
- Install adequate portable running water and accessible washing basins for handwashing purposes, install alcohol-based hand-sanitizers at the entrance and exit points
- Restaurants and eateries must install a contact-free thermometer and ensure that every person entering the premises has his/her body temperature taken
- Any staff member or reveler with a temperature above 37.5 degrees shall not be allowed entry into the premises, and the premises shall immediately notify the ministry of health through toll-free number 719 for guidance.
- Ensure physical distancing (1 metre-3 feet) in food preparation areas
However, the cabinet secretary noted that this was not a licence to start alcohol sales, as bars remained closed. It waits to be seen how different restaurants will ensure the above regulations are adhered to, to ensure minimum spread.
