The government has stated it will expend $3000 & $5000 to businesses being run by the youths to cushion them from the effects of the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, Sports Brief reports.
The $17 million relief grant was announced by the youth Minister Kirsty Coventry this afternoon. Coventry said:
As we are all aware, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has already infected more than 1,5 million people with more than 100,000 deaths worldwide has the potential to reach a larger proportion of the global population. Zimbabwe has of now recorded 29 cases with 4 of them having succumbed to the pandemic. Many businesses have been affected by the pandemic and the youth sector has also not been spared.
In this regard, Government, through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation has set up a ZWL$17 Million Relief Fund to support youth-led businesses and associations and to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on their operations across the country.
Meanwhile, the government disbursed $200 Million to 1 million vulnerable people to help them buy basics during the lockdown.
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