Covid-19: Nakuru restaurants offer takeaway services only

Restaurants and other eateries in Nakuru town have started offering only takeaway services to their customers.
The county has banned eating food inside hotels and other eateries to curb the spread of coronavirus. At Sebs Hotel, seats were placed on tables to deter clients from using them.
PANDEMIC
There was a notice on the entrance stating: “As from March 24, 2020 we will only be doing takeaway foods, snacks, drinks and beverages due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Kindly bear with us as we offer our service in this special way. Let us help each other stay safe.”

“We are taking the county government directive seriously and that is why we have placed all the seats on the tables,” said Mr Harun Mbugua who runs Sebs Hotel in Nakuru’s Central Business District.

Many customers were shocked when they stepped into some of the restaurants and found the seats and tables removed.

At the popular Green Valley Restaurant on Kenyatta Avenue, clients were only allowed to buy food and leave.

“I had come to have lunch in the restaurant only to find the seats removed. I first thought the hotel was closing down due to coronavirus crisis only to learn that they were not allowing clients to sit and order for their food,” said Mr James Muthoga.

DRASTIC MEASURES

Some of the clients supported the drastic measures saying it will minimise the spread of the Covid-19 and save lives.

“This is the best way to tackle coronavirus because what the county government is doing is in line with public health safety regulations, it is for the good of the entire public,” said Mr Douglas Kimani.

A manager at the restaurant said the management had decided to act in compliance with the county government directives.

“We don’t want to put the lives of our customers at risk. After the coronavirus is controlled, we shall still need these customers and their safety is of paramount importance as they are our lifeline,” said a supervisor.

ROAST MEAT
At the Choma Bite joint on Government Road which is popular with nyama choma lovers, the customers were only allowed to buy takeaway.

“I am not used to this kind of arrangement but if it is for the benefit of us all, I have no choice but to stick to the regulations,” said Mr George Ouma, a regular patron at the joint.

Some of the customers said the new directive will give them ample time to go and roast the meat with their family members at home.

“I am used to buying roasted meat and taking it to my family but with this change, I will now be their home chef,” said Mr Sammy Murage.

However, a number of high end hotels looked deserted as the number of clients visiting the facilities reduced drastically.

Many of the workers expressed fear that if the crisis continues, they may be declared redundant.

“Unlike these other small restaurants, our class is different and our clients don’t prefer takeaways. Many prefer sampling our cuisine with their families as they socialise and swim in our swimming pool,” said a hotel manager of one of the hotels.