This archive report was first published on 11 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the country, the Kenyan government has announced measures to ease restrictions for restaurants and eateries. The cost of COVID-19 tests for these establishments has been reduced from Ksh 4,000 to Ksh 1,000 per employee.
According to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, charges for premises inspection as well as compliance permits have been waived. However, the food outlets will be responsible for coming up with standard operating procedures that comply with the protocols published by the health ministry on social distancing and hygiene.
CS Balala also warned that hotel accommodation is still closed and will only reopen once a set of protocols is given. This relief to hoteliers comes several weeks after the Government gave a green light to eateries in the country to resume operations.
Kenya has recorded an additional 28 cases of the virus, bringing the total of positive cases to 700. Health CAS Dr Rashid Aman announced one more death in Nairobi, raising Kenya's total fatalities from the virus to 23.
On a positive note, the total number of recoveries in the country now stands at 251 after 12 more patients were discharged from hospital. The government's priority is to limit community spread, and CAS Aman urged Kenyans to report to nearby hospitals to make sure they are assisted before their symptoms worsen.
