Uhuru reopens bars and restaurants, orders the reopening of schools

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the reopening of bars and restaurants across the country, restricting bars to operate up to 7 pm, three hours before the curfew which he has pushed to 10 pm.

The Head of State was speaking at State House, Nairobi on Saturday, May 1, as he announced the new developments regarding the Covid-19 protocols. 

He directed hotels, restaurants and eateries to maximise open-air spaces and encourage customers to maintain social distance, wear masks and sanitise even as they operate till curfew. 

Uhuru also reiterated the reopening of schools on Monday, May 10 as the Ministry of Education had earlier stated. 

Churches can only have a third capacity when conducting congregational worship. 

The president also ordered the resumption of sporting activities based on the regulations set by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sports. 

He said, "During this school reopening period, let us be honourable and patriotic citizens of our land. Nobody enjoys the situations we are in. We are not happy putting Kenyans through a hard time." 

"But if we are not able to contain the disease because of our selfishness, then we shall revert and protect life. We shall be forced to protect life and the economy. If we work together as Kenyans we will be able to continue life as normally as possible," added Uhuru. 

The cessation of movement in the Counties of Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Kiambu and Nakuru was also lifted by the President, saying reports by medical experts have shown a significant decline in Covid-19 caseload within the zoned since the strict measures were executed. 

President Uhuru explained, "Data from our medical experts suggests the same trend in the zoned area we put on lockdown during my March 26. After one month of lockdown, Covid-19 caseload within the zoned area has come down by 72 percent. In other areas of the Republic, the Covid caseload fell by 89 percent in Mombasa and 90 percent in Busia between March and April 2021." 

He further pointed out that the protection of school children should be a priority for the entire country.