KEEP THE ECONOMY AFLOAT

FOR effective response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Eswatini needs to be able to make objective decisions based on science and avoid as much as possible emotive decisions based on people’s opinions. This is especially important now during the relaxed lockdown because every sector of the economy is flocking the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade to fight for permission to operate.

The current relaxed lockdown is quickly turning into a seesaw struggle between upholding health and safety standards by restricting people’s movements versus opening up to allow as many businesses as possible to keep the economy afloat.

The key thing is to make sure that people still observe the COVID-19 Regulations by the book to avoid losing lives to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, what is happening on Saturdays is a cause for concern. Everyone including their mother, cousin, and pet are flocking Eswatini’s shopping malls in large numbers such that Saturdays are turning into a COVID-19 hotspot day. The issue is that many people are unable to access the shops during the week because they are only open for limited hours usually from 9AM to 3PM. Saturday seems to be only day people are able to cram in all of their shopping needs besides food and this has to change.

Government should reconsider extending operating hours for all the businesses that are allowed to open to avoid cramming people into shopping centres all at once on Saturdays. Even during the week, a lot of the furniture and clothing shops attract long queues as along as their open instead of spreading the number of people shopping over an extended/longer period of time.

The COVID-19 Regulations should have the flexibility to spread economic activities beyond the normal 8am-5pm so that the country can avoid cramming people into shops, offices, all at the same time. By doing this, traffic can also be avoided and the economy would be able to naturally observe the health and safety regulations seamlessly. Currently, these Regulations are making it difficult to maintain social distancing on top of avoiding large groups of people to congregate at the same spot right at the same time.

Extending

On the other hand, extending the operating hours could give more room for other businesses that are considered high risk to start opening but under strict and controlled measures to reduce exposure and spread of COVID-19. The truth is Eswatini cannot shut the economy forever. At some point all businesses will need to reopen and so the relaxed lockdown should be an opportunity for every business operator and customer to learn how to conduct themselves within the confines of COVID-19. Being extra cautious is something that people should never let go; however, it looks like COVID-19 is here to stay. Therefore, it is incumbent on every sector of the economy to learn how to coexist with the virus. Eswatini business operations and social behaviours need to adapt to a level that can minimise exposure/infections while allowing for the possible maximum economic activity to take place. The COVID-19 Regulations need to encourage people to be proactive rather than to instil fear and hopelessness.

In the spirit of keeping the economy afloat in addition to being proactive about being responsible for our lives and the people we interact with, Government also needs to reconsider its decision on alcohol consumption. The hard truth is that sale and consumption of alcohol is a key feature of the economy and people need to learn to be responsible for their own behaviour.

The total ban on alcohol is simply not sustainable. What will happen when the liquor shops and bars finally reopen? People need to be treated as responsible adults rather than children that need to be protected from themselves. In fact, smoking carries much more direct risk in terms of complicating the effects of the COVID-19 on one’s health, yet people are still smoking. Government can allow the consumption of alcohol at home rather than in public spaces. That way the country can still make money to keep the economy afloat but also teach people the correct social behaviour instead of creating a hostile environment that can drive people into the black market to maintain their lifestyles at whatever cost to their health and economy at large.
The churches and the salons also want to open. Government should be able to make an objective decision that weighs the benefits versus the costs on people’s health and the economy at large. Some churches have been able to turn to online streaming services while others insist on opening to allow congregants to experience the personal fellowship with other members. These are just examples of the many decisions that have to be taken. Government needs to exercise objectivity so that it can keep people alive and the economy afloat.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: