Over 200
revellers were arrested by the police on Friday night, July 24, after they were
found drinking and partying at the Avery lounge in Utawala.
Police
raided the nightclub and arrested 255 people who were flouting the government's
social distancing directive to curb the spread of COVID-19.
According
to reports, this is the third time that police raided the club and arrested
culprits violating the curfew rules.
Avery
lounge first came into the spotlight after 11 revellers were arrested for
flouting rules on June 7 this year. A local Member of Parliament was among
those arrested.
On June 20,
about 200 revellers were arrested for flouting the same rules.
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During the
daily COVID-19 briefings, CAS Rashid Aman warned bar and pub owners that the
government had not yet lifted the ban.
"According
to the restrictions that were put in place, bars and pubs remain closed. There
was no lifting of that ban", stated CAS Aman.
However,
two weeks after the Avery lounge was raided, the nightclub was yet again found
on the wrong side of the law.
The 250
revellers will be charged on Monday, July 27, for going against the government
directive on social distancing and curfew violation.
The
National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) also
noted with concern that several people have now resulted in buying and drinking
alcohol ever since bars were shut down.
NACADA Prof
Chairperson Mabel Imbuga urged parents not to consume alcohol and drugs in
their children's presence.
"While
we fully support the measures taken by Government in containing the Coronavirus
pandemic, we are strongly opposed to the consumption of alcohol and drugs
through organized groups drinking bouts in homes in the presence of
children," she added.
"We
appeal to members of the public to report such cases to NACADA through our
toll-free line No. 1192 or to any National Government Administration
Officers," said Prof Imbuga.
