Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced immediate stop of sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants for the next 30 days.

This is in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus after reports emerged that people were visiting bars in the dead of the night way past curfew hours.

Several people have so far been arrested following an expose by the local media house that bars were selling alcohol at night.

Additionally, he said bars operating shall be closed permanently and reports forwarded by inspector general on weekly basis.

"Environment serving alcohol is more course for destructiveness. We have false impression that our 1.6% death rate in COVID-19 is much lower than global one, is misleading people thus spreading the disease among older people,” Kenyatta said.

Mr. Kenyatta also submitted that the 9.00 pm to 5.00 am curfew will continue to be enforced while eateries will no longer operate past 7.00 pm for the next 30 days.

"If someone walks into your shop and they are not in a mask, be courageous to tell them wear your mask before engagement. If a waiter isn’t in a mask, walk outlook for an alternative eatery,” he added.

The Kenyan president also submitted that education ministry will hold an urgent consultative meeting with all stakeholders and guide parents in reference to the way forward regarding schools.

The new measures came at a time when coronavirus cases continue to surge in Kenya, which currently has over 17,000 cases with a death toll currently standing at 280.