NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 8- Despite the threat of COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of revellers continue streaming into bars where social distance is only a term by the Ministry of Health.
They drink and do it some more, even after 9pm when all bars should close and way after the dusk to dawn curfew has started.
As a result of the recklessness, dozens of revellers were at the weekend arrested in separate places as special security enforcement squads moved to enforce COVID-19 pandemic protocols across the country.
Hundreds of bars have had their licenses revoked after the operations that happened in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa and Eldoret among other towns.
Police have told Shahidi News that at least 2,000 revellers were arrested in the operations and are scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The affected bars and restaurants have since been notified of the closure and revocation of their licenses.
In Nakuru, police had to lobe a teargas canister into a bar in the town after the revellers started to haul objects and beers at them in efforts to deter their arrest in the midnight operation.
At least 86 revelers were arrested as others escaped in the confusion.
In Umoja, 300 revelers were arrested from a bar at 11pm and booked at Buruburu police cells amid fears this would hasten the spread of the pandemic among them.
President Kenyatta had ordered the operations to reinforce the rules as part of efforts by authorities to control the spread of the disease.
Respective police commanders in regions are working closely with county inspectorates in cracking down on the bars which officials say are the main source of the spread.
More than 1000 people have died out of the disease in the country.
Dozens others are admitted in hospitals over the disease.
The president imposed a night curfew in the country as part of efforts to contain the spread. Bars are supposed to be closed by 10 pm.
He ordered all state officers to scale down operations and added state and public officers over 58 to work remotely.
He said those in schools will continue with learning and exams under heightened measures.
Basic education will resume January 2021.
The students and pupils will be provided with masks.
There will be no services to those without masks in public places, said the president as he asked the private sector to help in driving this agenda.
Gatherings and rallies remain suspended for 60 days and only town halls will be allowed but must observe protocols to a third of the total population and must wear masks.
Night curfew was extended to January 3, 2021.
Religious gatherings will have not more than a third of the population.
The president said the government will impose lockdowns and movement restrictions where cases are detected.
“There will be no mask no services drive. Let them private sector help us ok this,” he said.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
