Coronavirus Threatens Zimbabwe's Flea Markets

Vendors selling second-hand clothes at a market along Robert Mugabe Road in Bulawayo are anxious that they could be forced to temporarily close their businesses following a recent government ban on public gatherings exceeding 100 people.

Bulawayo City Council Divisional Environmental Health officer, Patrick Ncube told reporters on Friday that council will not allow more than 100 people at the popular flea market. He said:

We cannot have more than 100 people there.

I know it will be difficult to implement but we are working closely with security agencies on this issue.

Second-hand clothes are imported from all over the world and trade in the items is a source of livelihood for thousands of Zimbabwean families in various cities, towns and rural outposts.

On Tuesday the government imposed a 60-day ban on gatherings in excess of 100 people to contain the spread of COVID-19.

More: NewZimbabwe.com