Hotels in Kitale are yet to reopen following government directive

The
hospitality sector among the toughest hit by the corona virus in the country
and globally following the lockdowns and restriction orders to curb the spread
of covid-19

On Monday
April 27 the government through the ministry of health announced the reopening
of hotels and restaurants, giving out strict measure and guidelines that
hoteliers should follow in order to reopen.

The
restrictions included the testing of workers, maintaining social distance of
1.5 metres between seats and avoiding self-service.

With many
hotels still picking up on reopening and ensuring they meet the measures as stipulated
by the government, a number of the sector managements are still struggling to
meet the measures.

“It’s been a
tough period for us but the government move reopen the sector was thoughtful.
The hotels across the country have offered a majority of Kenyans employment,” said
Miss Anne Wachira, acting PR officer at Aturkan Hotel in Kitale.

The
government further reduced the cost of tests to hotelier’s to Ksh.1000 per
test, a move that was confirmed by the tourism cabinet secretary Najib Balala, who
also reiterated that the previous measures stated by the ministry of health
remains in place.

“The cost of
testing is quite expensive for many, despite the fact that many hotels have
reduced the number of workers still the cost is high and that it is being done
after every 14 days many cannot manage that. The government should reconsider,
based on the fact that we have not been in operation for quite a while and
carrying out that test after two weeks will be expensive on us considering the
fact that we don’t know how long the virus will be with us.” she further added.

Aturkan hotel
has reduced a number of its workers and resorted to take away services, with
employees working in shift to maintain the social distance.

The management
also ensures that the clients reaching out for their services have sanitized
and their temperatures tested before being allowed in.

Some
restaurants have resorted to offer accommodation facilities to their workers to
avoid movement in and out.

“Currently
we are working on orders to reduce loss and food spoilage. And you can see
there is minimal activity going on. Business is low due to the current working
hours as stated by the government and also no lodging services. We have people
reporting during their shift hours and some have been staying at home, to resume
when things get back normal,” she further said.

The hotels were
closed in mid-March and are yet to reopen under strict guidelines with the
government saying move was meant to reduce further effects on the country’s
economy.

Hotel owners
still hope that the testing charge can further be reduced from Ksh.1000 from if
they are to carry on the tests after every 14 days.