Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has appealed to the government to extend working hours for retailers as the current working hours are putting a huge strain on their business.
The government on Wednesday extended Covid-19 curfew hours by two more weeks.
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CRZ) president, Denford Mutashu said they appreciate the decision made by the government on extending the Covid -19 level 4 lockdown restrictions but however, they are appealing for an extension of operating hours.
“CRZ is therefore kindly appealing for an extention of operating hours from the current 08:00am to 15:30hrs to 07:00am to 17:00hrs while curfew hours moving from the current 18:30hrs to 06:00am to 22:00hrs to 05:30am,”he said.
Mutashu added that he believes the request will go a long way in alleviating the gravy negative impact of the Covid -19 pandemic on businesses as costs have been on an unrelenting upward trajectory.
The retailers said curfew hours are coinciding with the increase in customer and vehicle congestion.
“CRZ has also noted with concern the increased customer and vehicle congestion as working hours are coinciding with shops closing times exposing the public to transportation and access to food crisis,” said Mutashu.
The government encouraged retailers and wholesalers together with their value chain players to uptake 100% vaccination against the Covid-19.