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Alcohol lobby group urges Govt to extend bar operating hours

Nairobi, Kenya, October 14 – Alcohol manufacturers have petitioned the Government to lift the restrictions on bar operating hours due to reduced Covid-19 positivity rate and increased vaccination countrywide.

The manufacturers say allowing bars and restaurants to operate longer would create more employment opportunities and help businesses in the hard-hit sector recover and become competitive.

Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) chairman Eric Githua, in a petition, addressed to the National Emergency Response Committee (NERC) said that increasing the availability of licensed alcohol would also help keep customers away from the illicit variety, whose consumption has grown during the pandemic.

“ABAK notes the Covid-19 positivity rate in the last week has been averaging below five percent, which is the recommended rate by the World Health Organisation for consideration in adjusting public health and social measures in the context of Covid-19,” Githua said.  

Currently, bars are allowed to operate until 7pm with the majority, which opens at 5 pm, operating for two hours a day. 

He said the negative socio-economic situation the alcohol industry was thrown into at the onset of the pandemic would be mitigated by allowing bars and restaurants to operate longer. 

The alcoholic beverages industry collectively contributes more than Shs130 billion annually in taxes in addition to the thousands of Kenyans who are employed both directly and indirectly by the industry.

Githua said allowing longer hours would also have a positive impact on manufacturing, which is one of the current administration’s vital areas of focus under the Big Four Agenda.

The Government announced a 30-day extension to the restrictions earlier October and has been under pressure to do away with the measures and concentrate on increasing vaccination.

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Prof Omu Anzala, a member of the team that advises the Government on Covid-19, has asked the authorities to remove the restrictions in light of keeping the economy stable.

The virologist and immunologist said Covid-19 is becoming endemic like the influenza virus and more effort should be on managing the health crisis and preventing its spread using strict measures.  

He also pointed at the rampant abuse of the restrictions, with some bars remaining open beyond hours, and pointed out the fact that matatus have been allowed to resume full capacity.

Amref Health Africa CEO Githinji has also advocated for a different approach to restrictions across the continent.

 Githinji has advocated for governments to ensure there is adequate oxygen, health workers, funding, large-scale vaccination and rigorous use of data to determine the length of curfews.

The medics have also pointed out the worries over the police using the enforcement of the curfew for brutality and extortion even as compliance has waned.

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