Restaurants allowed to reopen subject to strict guidelines – KBC

The government has paved the way for restaurants and eateries to reopen on condition they adhere to strict Covid-19 guidelines.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe Monday said restaurants will only operate between 5 am and 4 pm in order to adhere to the curfew hours.

The announcement by the CS comes as a relief to the business owners who have suffered losses following the closure of non-essential businesses by the government in measures to combat the deadly virus.

Among the guidelines issued for a partial reopening of the businesses following a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday include social distancing where tables must be spaced at least 1.5 meters apart, customers walking into the restaurants must wash their hands, sanitise, wear masks and have their temperatures taken.

Only restaurants with staff who have been tested for Covid-19 will be allowed to operate and must limit the number of customers to four people for every 10 square metres space.

Bars will, however, remain closed but restaurants have been given the nod to serve alcohol with a meal.

“This is not a licence to start opening bars and alcohol sale across the country. Anybody walking into a restaurant should walk in with a mask, sanitize their hands and if your staff have not been tested you cannot open a restaurant… We want to make our own measures based on our own experiences as compared to the other countries,” stated CS Kagwe.

Buffet and self-service have been prohibited with customers required to have their meals delivered individually to the dining table by appointed restaurant stewards.

“If buffet meals are served the service shall be by only one person appointed by the restaurant. They must ensure quality and safety of food, to rinse and sanitize food contact surfaces, disinfect surfaces, floors and counters”, said the CS.

Alcohol will only be sold with a meal in the restaurant and only be served to customers waiting to be served a meal, during the meal, or 30 minutes after the meal has ended.

The CS spoke when he inaugurated the advisory committee on supply and utilization of blood and blood products.

Kenya has recorded 363 Covid-19 cases after eight more people tested positive.

The hygiene and safety advisories approved by the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus for the restaurants are:

a) All restaurants shall only operate between 05.00 a.m. and 04.00 p.m.

b) Restaurants must limit the number of diners or customers to 4 people for every 10 square metres space.

c) Tables in the dining areas must be spaced 1.5 metres apart in the dining area or seat customer groups at least 1.5 metres apart.

d) Maintain distance from the back of one chair to the other chair not less than a metre and guests must face each other from a distance of at least one metre.

e) Alcohol shall only be sold with a meal in the restaurant and only be served to customers waiting to be served a meal, during the meal, or 30 minutes after the meal has ended.

(h) Temporarily discontinue self-service of ready-to-eat foods such as salad bars or buffets.

(i) Customers to have their meals delivered individually to the dining table by appointed restaurant stewards. If buffet meals are served the service shall be by only one person appointed by the restaurant.

(j) Restaurants to ensure quality and safety of food, to rinse and sanitize food contact surfaces, disinfect surfaces, floors and counters.

(k) Install adequate portable running water and accessible washing basins for handwashing purposes, install alcohol based-hand sanitizers at the entrance and exit points.

(l) Restaurants and eateries must install a contact-free thermometer and ensure that every person entering the premises has his/her body temperature taken.

(m) Any staff member or reveller with a temperature above 37.5 degrees shall not be allowed entry into the premises, and the premises shall immediately notify the Ministry of Health through the toll-free no 719 for guidance.

(n) Ensure physical distancing (1metre-3 feet) in food preparation areas.