Uhuru bans alcohol sales in restaurants, eateries effective midnight

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This morning, I co-chaired the fifth extraordinary summit of the national and county governments, the third consultation, against one of the greatest health as well as economic threats to face humanity over the last century.

The surge has continued over the last 21 days. The virus cases have sharply accelerated sharply. Forty-Four of our 47 counties have been affected. Nationally, 17,603 tested positive for the virus.

There is an aggressive surge of infections among young Kenyans who are in turn affecting their elders.

Contact tracing indicates that our socializing without regard to protective behaviour is becoming a great risk factor in our country.

As our nation, we are fortunate that our fatality rate is much lower than the global average. This low rate is giving Kenyans false comfort that this pandemic is not a serious health risk to them and their families...

In war, victory is assured by united armies. Our victory will be to suffer minimal harm and minimal loss and to shorten the length of this war.

We must be realistic as parents, colleagues and neighbours. We need to look around and ask ourselves, what is my responsibility to those around me? What is my responsibility to the ones I love?

I do believe that none of us wants to mourn our parents, siblings and colleagues who would have survived were it not for our actions...The power, therefore, is in our hands, individually and collectively.

That our nationwide curfew shall remain in force for a further 30 days.

That there shall be no consumption of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and eateries in the country effective today at midnight for 30 days.

That the Inspector-General of Police shall cause the withdrawal of all licenses for all bars that will contravene COVID-19 regulations.

That forthwith, the IG of Police shall ensure that no politician will be spared who shall be found outside without being an essential service provider.

That national government officers shall strictly enforce health regulations in public gatherings, especially funerals.

That the MOH will develop a protocol to retain retired ICU staff and anaesthetists to deal with COVID-19 cases in the counties.

That Govt institutions, including stadia, upon designations as a public health facility shall be availed to the MOH for purposes of quarantine and treatment centres.