Impacts of COVID-19 Regulatory Measures on Small-scale and Informal Trade in Zimbabwe
This report provides a snapshot of how these measures have impacted on small-scale and informal domestic and cross-border traders
Abstract
This report provides a snapshot of the current and recent COVID-19 measures in place in Zimbabwe and how these have impacted on small-scale and informal domestic and cross-border traders. The final section provides some brief information on some of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) states’ reactions to COVID-19, especially about protecting or supporting the economic recovery of the informal sector. The information has been presented for Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. As of 19 May 2020, Zimbabwe has 46 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 4 deaths. A national lockdown has been put in place since 30 March 2020; this was extended indefinitely on 16 May 2020, though the restrictions will be reviewed every two weeks. The informal economy is very important in Zimbabwe. The national lockdown has confined millions of people reliant on informal economic activities to their homes and has negatively impacted the informal economy. To improve the situation, some pragmatic measures must be put in place.
This report was prepared for the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and its partners in support of pro-poor programmes
Citation
Price, R.A. (2020). Impacts of COVID-19 regulatory measures on small-scale and informal trade in Zimbabwe. K4D Helpdesk Report 815-816. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies.
Link
Impacts of COVID-19 Regulatory Measures on Small-scale and Informal Trade in Zimbabwe