This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
As Kenya's economy slowly reopens, the government has issued fresh guidelines for business operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. One of the key measures outlined in the guidelines is for traders selling fresh food items, known as Mama Mbogas, to sell their vegetables whole to customers, rather than chopping them.
According to the guidelines, traders and hawkers will also have to restructure their work places to ensure social distancing rules are maintained. This includes designating work stations and tools for individual artisans and decontaminating shared tools in the Jua Kali sector.
Business owners running barbershops, salons, and other beauty spots will have to maintain appropriate distances between clients and limit the number of clients at any given time. Restaurant and eatery owners are required to stagger their shifts, rotate staff members, and arrange staff transport to reduce public transport use.
Additionally, all businesses are encouraged to adopt cashless transactions, ensure good ventilation, clean work surfaces regularly, and keep track of employee attendance through tracing.
While business owners say they are not opposed to the guidelines, some fear that they may lead to a rise in the cost of operations, which may eventually be absorbed by consumers.
The guidelines will be subject to change depending on the direction of the COVID-19 pandemic.
