This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
On June 16, 2020, the Ministry of Health announced new directives for restaurants in Kenya, allowing them to operate until 7:30 pm.
According to the directives, restaurant staff will only be tested for COVID-19 once, unless they exhibit symptoms or the restaurant flouts the rules.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe emphasized that bars remain closed, but restaurants have been given a lifeline to operate and boost the tourism sector.
"Bars are not open. We have opened restaurants to give the tourism sector a lifeline," CS Kagwe stated.
The decision comes just two days after pub and restaurant owners requested the government to increase operating hours to 5am and 8pm.
CS Kagwe commended restaurants that have been following the guidelines, which he noted have been beneficial in taming the COVID-19 outbreak.
