Supermarkets risk shutting down if they allow customers without masks

Any supermarket allowing customers to shop without putting on masks now risk shutting down.

During a press briefing on Tuesday April 7, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe announced that tougher measures will be imposed to contain further spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

While emphasizing on President Uhuru’s directive, Kagwe insisted that Kenyans must wear masks when going to a market or the supermarket.

"The restriction is obviously going to be accompanied with other measures for example, in markets we have announced and we keep telling people that when you are going to a market or a supermarket, you do know the rules regarding supermarkets,” said Kagwe.

Kagwe also advised supermarket owners not to allow customers without masks, otherwise they might be forced to closed it down.

“You must have a mask when you are going in there and if the health officers go to supermarkets where people don't have masks then we'll have no choice but to close those supermarkets," added Kagwe.

Last month, Kagwe advised supermarket owners to limit the number of people entering the premises to ensure the social distancing rule is observed.

The strict measures come as a result of the increasing coronavirus cases in the country. On Tuesday, the health CS announced that the confirmed cases stand at 172 with 6 deaths.

CS Kagwe warned Kenyans to brace themselves for bad news saying that the country is about to face even more challenging times.

“The measures we have taken will not stop the virus abruptly. It is here with us. We must prepare ourselves mentally. We are lucky that we are recording mild infections and a low mortality rate but we should not relax,” said Kagwe.