Government extends operation hours

Government has extended operating hours for the retail, wholesale and service business from 8am-4.30 pm to 6am -6.30 pm.

Briefing the media after a Covid-19 National Taskforce meeting this Monday evening, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said although we are not yet out of the woods, the pandemic is easing and the Government is also moving in to ensure business viability without completely lifting the national lockdown.

“As part of gradually opening the economy, Government has extended operating hours for the retail, wholesale and service businesses from the previously announced hours of 8 am -4.30 pm to 6.30 am – 6.30 pm.”

The taskforce also noted that the sale and consumption of liquor by licences is in three categories. The categories are as follows:

• Licensees that may sell liquor to customers for consumption off the premises during licensed hours .These include wholesale, wine producers and bottle stores.
• Licensees that may sell liquor to customers for consumption off the premises during licensed hours .These include restaurant, airpots, recreational park areas, houseboats, camps and caravan parks.

Licensees that may sell liquor to customers for consumption off the premises during licensed hours .These include casinos and theatres.

Senator Mutsvangwa said “the easing of lockdown restrictions is not an indication that we defeated this pandemic, but we are a nation seeking to balance our economic interests and the protection of life,”