The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has welcomed the relaxation of restrictions under the COVID-19 Level 2 lockdown regulations by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In a State of the Nation Address (SONA) on the COVID-19 pandemic response yesterday, President Mnangagwa reviewed the lockdown to Level 2, from Level 4, allowing more time for business to operate.
CZI chief executive officer, Sekai Kuvarika, told Finance & Business that the previously limited trading hours had started to take a toll on businesses. She said:
This development is welcomed by industry, as businesses had started to show signs of stress due to COVID-19 induced (shorter) trading hours.
According to the new Level 2 regulations, businesses are now allowed to operate from 8 am to 7 pm, while the curfew period will run from 10 pm to 5:30 pm.
Mnangagwa also allowed restaurants and bars within hotels and lodges to operate from 10 am to 10 pm while bottle stores are to open between 10 am and 4 pm.
Intercity travel is now permitted in strict adherence to COVID-19 health measures while public gatherings will not exceed 100 people.