Six restaurants in Murang’a have been given nod to operate after meeting conditions set by the Ministry of Health to help control spread of Covid-19.
Workers of the eateries have been tested and issued with covid-19 free certificates even as they are supposed to observe other measures strictly to help combat spread of coronavirus.
The Murang’a County Executive Member for Health and Sanitation, Joseph Mbai has said the restaurants are free to operate adding that public health officers will be doing regular inspections to ensure all the conditions are always adhered to.
Speaking on Tuesday as he toured some of the allowed eateries in Murang’a town, Mbai said there were many pending applications by hotel owners saying the samples of workers have been sent to Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) for testing.
“Once a hotel meets set health conditions, it will be given permission to operate, but we will close down all eateries which have opened up for public without attaining the set requirements,” said Mbai.
Customers should ensure they keep social distance while in the hotels and wash or sanitise their hands before and after entering the restaurants. Mbai said the hotels should ensure they have enough water for that purpose.
The allowed eateries, Mbai said will be required to keep records of their regular customers for easy tracing if need arise. “We have requested the hotels to have contact details of their regular customers. This may be used in future in case of any need,” he added.
In Murang’a so far three cases of covid-19 have been reported and the patients have been taken for isolation.
Mbai said 68 contacts have been traced and taken for quarantine, noting that they are working closely with the national emergency response team in Nairobi to handle any reported case.
“Considering proximity of Murang’a to Nairobi, the cases may spread fast. The movement cessation in and out of Nairobi metropolis has helped the county to have fewer cases,” noted Mbai.
Meanwhile, the CEC said they will start arresting residents walking in public areas without putting on face masks.
The masks, Mbai said, can prevent contracting airborne disease to about 85 percent and thus locals should not get tired of putting them especially when they are in public places.
“People should follow given guidelines by the ministry of health as by doing so, we will flatten the pattern of infections of covid-19. Wearing masks is mandatory and we will partner with security officers to arrest those failing to wear them,” stated Mbai.
By Bernard Munyao
