Zimbabwe eases tourism lockdown measures

By Shingai Nyoka

Zimbabwe has announced it will partially reopen its tourism industry, one of the sectors worst affected by a three-month long lockdown. 

Restaurants were previously only allowed to serve take-aways. They will now be allowed to serve sitting customers but at only half of their licensed capacity. 

National parks and local safari and hunting operations are now also allowed to reopen. 

Zimbabwe’s economy relies heavily on international tourism, which generates close to $1bn (£800m) from the more than two million tourists arrivals each year. 

The sector has been forced to close due to the coronavirus, with borders remaining closed except for returning residents. Tourism players will now focus on reviving domestic tourism.

Zimbabwe has recorded 574 cases of Covid-19 so far.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: EPA