By Nsunjo Erica
Kenya’s Ministry Of Health has drafted a proposal that anybody consuming alcohol in public shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 20,000 shillings or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.
The Ministry Of Health Kenya is proposing that consumption of any alcoholic drink in a public place during this COVID – 19 period is banned and that anyone found contravening this rule will have committed an offense.
The government of Kenya is seeking ways of ensuring the spread of the virus is cut significantly by making sure that no one buys alcohol in a restaurant or bar and then sits down to have it since bars are one of the areas with the easiest means of spreading the virus.
This comes as a result of some Kenyans repeatedly flouting directives meant to curtail COVID-19, Kenyans were caught on camera drinking in bars and restaurants during the night, some drinking up to 5 am.
After expressing concerns and issuing warnings, the government is now proposing punitive rules by banning the sale of alcohol to customers who intend to sit and drink within business establishments
According to the proposed COVID-19 rules, the sale of alcoholic drinks rules, 2020, restaurants, eateries, bars, food courts, entertainment joints, supermarkets, wines & spirits shops will only sell take away drinks.
The government says such actions have provided fodder for the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus and therefore something must be done before the situation gets out of their control.
Kenya continues to experience increased numbers in terms of COVID-19 infections with 397 confirmed cases reported on Tuesday out of the 3,637 samples tested, thus raising the number of total infections in the country to 14,168.
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