By CHINOYI CHIPULU
Kapiri Mposhi Town Council have confiscated over 21 bonanza machines and closed three bars for operating in breach of Covid19 guidelines.
This was during a joint operation with police conducted on Friday and Saturday to check the levels of compliance to covid-19 regulations in bars, nightclubs, taverns and casinos.
According to a statement released by Kapiri Mposhi public relations officer Chris Mulaliki some traders had turned their shops into casinos by placing bonanza machines theirin.
“Officers confiscated 21 bonanza machines where people were found betting without adhering to covid-19 health regulations,” he said.
He said bar owners and bonanza machines that were found abrogating Government’s directive have been summoned to appear before Public Health Section at the Civic Centre.
And Council Secretary Isaac Zimba has expressed concern over the continued disregard of Covid19 guidelines.
“The Local Authority is disappointed that traders turned their shops into casinos by placing bonanza betting machines and bar owners who have bonanza machines have decided to go against the government’s directive to operate without strict adherence to Covid-19 measures,” he said.
Mr Zimba observed that the district has continued to record Covid-19 cases as announced by the Ministry of Health and despite the increase in covid-19 related deaths, those doing business have decided to ignore the government’s directive.
“For those that want to continue trading in liquor business, we expect them to adhere to operating hours that is from 10:00 hours to 22:00 hours on take away basis only without allowing patrons to seat and drink from their premises as this is government directives aimed at combating the spread of covid-19, if the fail to comply, the local authority will be left with no option apart from revoking their liquor licenses and similarly we expect those trading in our markets to wear face masks and observe the five golden rules, if they don’t to wear face masks let them stay at home,” he said.
He said the joint operations will be ongoing and will be extended to the outskirts in the district to ensure that people adhere to covid-19 health regulations.
