Mbabane: Eswatini government has announced that it will ease partial lockdown as from Friday 8 May 2020 to allow the gradual opening of the economy.
This was announced by the Honorable Prime Minister Ambrose Mamdvulo Dlamini in a press conference held at the cabinet offices afternoon on Wednesday May 6, 2020.
Announcing the developments the Prime Minister said “I have, therefore, been commanded by His Majesty King Mswati III to announce that from midnight today the country is embarking on a process of gradually easing of the partial lock down on the economy”.
Dlamini said this was in line with, measures recently taken by other countries in the region and the world.
Dlamini said consideration has been made to determine if the health system is capable of containing the situation.
Dlamini said it was important to be mindful of the current situation in a easing the lockdown to revive the economy.
“It is however important to emphasize that members of the public are expected to fully comply with the covid-19 regulations throughout this process”.
The measures of the eased partial lockdown will allow the gradual opening of the economy to a few businesses. The premier emphasized that these business should demonstrate capabilities to implement strict covid-19 regulations and hygiene standards if not they will risk being closed or denied permit to operate.
Public transport will also be allowed to operate but still under strict covid-19 regulation.
Other sectors that government has allowed to which will start operating from Friday include:
- Manufacturing and production companies that have international orders to fulfill. Dlamini stated they shall operate under strict World Health Organization (WHO) and the ministry of health guidelines.
- Agents and Consultants will be allowed but have to operate 3 times a week
- Furniture shops
- Dry Cleaners
- Retail clothing shops
- Tailors and dress makers that produce face masks and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will operate 3 times a week from Monday, Wednesday and Saturday between 9 and 3pm
- Deco shops to operate 3 times a week
Worth noting is that social, sports and entertainment remain banned, Schools also remain closed and government will give advice on the way forward.
The premier stressed that these businesses which will be allowed to operate will have to demonstrate capabilities to implement strict covid-19 regulations and hygiene standards to prevent the spread of the virus.
They will have to seek permission to operate from the ministry of commerce industry and trade where they will prove that they have put in place very string and measures and ensuring that employees are able to practice social distancing, have adequate hand washing, sanitizers, and wear mask.
Any company fail to meet and comply with these measures will either be closed or denied permission to operate.
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