The Pubs, Entertainment Restaurant Association of Kenya (PERAK) has asked the Government to take action on establishments that break the law by opening beyond prescribed hours and fail to enforce health and safety standards in the context of COVID-19.
The association has also asked the Ministry of Health to withdraw a set of punitive regulations, circulated for public participation, that bar the sale of alcohol to sit-in patrons at restaurants, eateries, bars, food courts, entertainment joints and other places.
Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi on Wednesday, PERAK Chairperson Alice Opee said the protocols on the reopening of the tourism sector included eateries and restaurants but not bars, discos and entertainment joints.
“There have been a few isolated incidents of the breach of laws that have been highlighted in social, print and broadcast media, and these can be recorded in any sector. They should not be used for collective punishment of the entire sector. Offenders should be individually charged in courts,” said Ms Opee.
PERAK said restaurants and eateries that have reopened have already gone through a lengthy and expensive process to be allowed to do that and it would be unfair to administer collective punishment to all outlets because of the crimes of a few.
“If the proposals are approved, it means that the only place where alcohol can be consumed is in people’s homes. This goes against the spirit of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, which bans sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks in the presence of children,” said Ms Opee.
The association said the new measures would force the majority of the workforce in the industry back home and would further worsen the economic troubles they have just started recovering from.
“The isolated businesses highlighted in the media are not members of PERAK, and as such we disassociate our members and the association from their heinous act in flouting the laws as laid down by the government,” said Ms Opee.
PERAK also asked law enforcement to play their role without fear or favour.
“Our sector supports more than 1.8 million people directly and indirectly and we are afraid that collective punishment because of the wrongs of a few would not only be unfair but would end up with dire consequences for our members and their families,” said Ms Opee.
Although the draft regulations are yet to be effected, they have attracted the ire of PERAK.
PERAK also anticipates the COVID-19 Summit between President Uhuru Kenyatta and all 47 governors will yield an outcome that will balance the need to keep the economy running and public health.
The association also asked the government to note that in countries such as South Africa and India, banning the sale of alcohol, has not had a significant demonstrated effect on the rate of infection.
Opee also criticised the order by Kiambu Governor James Nyoro banning the sale of alcohol in the county.
Nyoro on Saturday last week ordered all alcohol retailing outlets to close within two days of the order blaming the trade for increased COVID-19 cases in the country.
Restaurant and Bar owners can go to hell. Opening up the service industry to fatten their wallets while they put their staff in high risk, knowing that there is no public health infrastructure they can depend on is greed to the highest level.
They should demand that the government disburse stimulus packages, what the hell do they (and we) pay taxes for?
I hate public money being spend on private businesses but there is only one way that bar owners and hoteliers can survive and this is not it.