Reprieve for Zim restaurants

CHENGETAI MURIMWA

Embattled Zimbabwe restaurants have been given a lease of life after the government allowed them to open for sit-ins at 50% sitting capacity a move which is set to rescue the industry from the brink.

Restaurants have been closed for two and half months with estimates showing that over 2000 jobs have been lost in the process.

Bongai Zamchiya President of the Restaurant Operators Association of Zimbabwe said they welcome the move for them to open for sit-down diners who are key customer base.

“Sit-down dinners are our key clientele, that’s where we derive most of our income from,” Zamchiya said.

He said restaurants have been at the forefront in terms of application of rules of safety and hygiene rules since the start of the Covid-19 crisis and they will continue to adhere strictly to the government regulations to combat the spread of the virus.

“As Restaurant Operators Association of Zimbabwe we remain supportive of the national effort to contain and eliminate Covid-19. The association looks forward to continued efforts to serve the best interests of restaurateurs, in collaboration with relevant ministries, and agencies,” Zamchiya said.

He paid tribute to operators for their resilience in the past two and a half months and efforts by the ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority for the reopening of restaurants for sit-in clients.

“We are looking forward to once again play our role in the economy,   both within the community and also for the tourist trade,” Zamchiya said.

It is estimated that as at March 2020 the number of employees in the trade was between 9 500 and 11 000 employees as at March last year. The sector used to employ 2 500 contract workers during peak periods such as December or during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.

It is estimated that Zimbabwe has between 700 and 850 restaurants including take away only venues.

The ban on sit-ins had eaten into players’ revenue streams with operators forced to retrench staff.