The Lusaka City Council (LCC) says it has issued a stern final warning to five business entities who were recently given a 24 hour ultimatum to show cause why their trading licenses should not be revoked for going against public health guidelines.
Council Public Relations Manager George Sichimba told Money FM News that Chicago’s, Decapo, Cock and Bull, Keg and Bull and Farley’s Pub and Grill allowed their restaurants to be turned into bars and night clubs on the night of 29th May, 2020, hence the violations contravened the provisions of Statutory Instruments 21 and 22 of 2020 made under the Public Health Act.
Mr. Sichimba said all the five business owners responded in writing within the set ultimatum expressing remorse over what transpired, after which a meeting with the affected entities was arranged to receive oral submissions and chat the way forward.
He explained that based on both written and oral submissions, the council decided to sternly warn the five not to repeat what their actions.
“Consequently, Lusaka Town Clerk, Alex Mwansa, sounded a stern warning that should the five business entities be found violating the set public health guidelines again, the Council shall have no option but to revoke their licenses without further notifications.”
“This is according to the final warning letters to owners of the affected premises dated 4th June, 2020 signed by Mr Mwansa,” he said.
Mr. Sichimba stated that authorized Council officers shall continue to monitor their compliance and will recommend for revocation of licenses and prosecutions should they be found abrogating the regulations again.
He appealed to other restaurant operators in the city to always conduct their businesses within the confines of the public health guidelines under the new normal arrangement.
On 1st June 2020, Lusaka City Council gave 24 hours ultimatum to the five business entities to show cause why their licenses should not be revoked for contravening public health guidelines by allowing their restaurants to be turned into bars and night clubs.