Zim businesses want lockdown eased

Ndakaziva Majaka

Businesses in Zimbabwe are urging government not to extend the 21-day lockdown period, but rather opt for a partial lockdown.

They warn that an extended lockdown will result in massive job losses. 

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), wants business to be allowed to resume operations immediately. 

In recommendations submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the ZNCC predicted that 25 percent of permanent formal jobs will be lost if the lockdown period is extended.

It also predicted that 75 percent of casual/temporary formal jobs will be lost if the lockdown period is extended.

 “If the total lock down is extended without resorting to partial lockdown some of the leisure and tourism operators might completely collapse.

“With Government having set the minimum wage, affordability by businesses is going to be a challenge as businesses adjust due to the effects of COVID-19,” reads part of the report.

Zimbabwe is on a 21-day national lockdown as part of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The country has recorded 23 confirmed cases of the virus and three deaths.