Bar owners back motion to reduce Covid restrictions, urge more vaccination

By Mourice Seretta

Bar owners have backed the motion in the National Assembly urging the Government to ease the restrictions imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic and ramp up vaccination.

The Bar, Hotel and Liquor Traders Association (Bahlita) has also expressed hope that just like the public transport sector, the hospitality sector will soon be allowed to operate at full capacity and with full operating hours.

“We support the motion in Parliament urging the Government to eliminate all forms of lockdowns, curfews and travel restrictions and replace them with economically friendly containment measures and vaccination campaigns,” said Bahlita chairman Simon Njoroge.

The Bahlita official spoke at an event in Gatanga in Murang’a yesterday to donate masks and sanitizer to government officials in two centers that have been hard hit by Covid-19, necessitating the closure of bars.

He said the association was given hope that it would soon reopen by the development of new protocols for the hospitality sector, which were launched last week by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

“The hospitality sector has suffered the greatest impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and we’d like to appreciate the national government for giving us hope about reopening by agreeing with our request for additional operating hours to enable the hospitality sector get back on its feet,” said Mr Njoroge.

The event was attended by officials from the national and county governments, the police, the Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) and the National Multi-Agency Command Centre (NMACC). NMACC and the trade associations have undertaken a campaign dubbed ‘Jibambe, Jilinde, Jikinge’ to remind alcohol traders as well as consumers on the need to remain safe even as they enjoy their drinks.

ABAK chairman Eric Githua said the campaign would intensify in the coming weeks.

“We are planning to launch further digital campaigns as a reminder to our trade and members of the public that covid-19 is still with us, its more infectious and lethal and we should not be complacent in following the laid down guidelines,” said Mr Githua.

The trade associations are also alarmed at the increase in illicit alcohol during the pandemic. This week, eight people are reported to have died in Nakuru after consuming an illicit drink.

“It is unfortunate that legitimate trade continues to witness an increasing taxation burden, which has continued to fuel illicit trade particularly when there is an escalation of measures against the sale of alcohol. We appreciate that through such partnership with government, we are able to address this problem of illicit and as ABAK, we are committed to supporting the government in this fight,” said Mr Githua.