Bars will now be required to hire Covid-19 liaison officers to ensure that all revelers observe all the measures put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19 in their facilities.
The officers will be required to restrict the number of revelers allowed in the bars and at the same time, report any suspected cases of COVID-19 infection among staff and drinkers.
This and other regulations are set to be gazetted by the government in a move seen to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Already, bars are suspected to among places that are spreading the virus among Kenyans.
The officers will also ensure that the workers at such facilities yet to be developed the Covid-19 code that will be used in the entertainment industry.
Just like most other establishments, the bars will be required to reduce contact between persons, designate spacious waiting and collection areas for couriers and customers as part of preventing further spreading of the disease.
The bars will also be required to display signage to show they already have the required revelers to meet the required social distance requirements.
Already, alcohol manufactures had already petitioned the government to come up with guidelines in bars to stop the spread of the disease. The industry was one of those that lost billions when the country was shut down in March when the first case was recorded in the country.
There has been concern that bars are fueling the spread of coronavirus, and for this reason, bars will be the first establishments to employ liaison officers.
Currently, bars are self-regulating themselves by cutting the capacity of revelers they can host to half, restricting drinkers at the counters, having contact free bill payment among other regulations.
Already the country has confirmed more than 80,000 covid-19 cases and more than 800 death making November the darkest month in the fight against the disease.
The regulations come at a time the county is witnessing a spike in daily Covid-19 infections, following the opening of the country in September and the subsequent reopening of learning institutions and bars
“Every establishment shall appoint and adequately train a Covid-19 liaison officer. The liaison officer shall be the point of contact with the Ministry of Health, Sub-County Liquor Licensing Committee, and other sector players to keep abreast of the emerging health, safety, and hygiene information and preventative measures related to Covid-19,” the regulations read in part.
The country shut down bars on March 25 after reporting the first coronavirus case occasioning an economic meltdown in the industry characterized by thousands of job losses and permanent closure of some establishments.
