The Sunday News
Nkosilathi Sibanda, Business Correspondent
BUSINESS entities in the hospitality and tourism sector that are violating public health guidelines meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are likely to be shut down, as authorities are on a drive to enforce full compliance.
The tourism and hospitality industry announced that it had partially opened for business under a well-marketed “#restart” campaign but the resumption seemed to have taken a false start, largely attributed to a lack of preparedness amid the rising number of new Covid-19 infections.
At a time when the industry thought it had covered all the essentials to welcome guests, in particular local holidaymakers, a surge of new infections was recorded in the past few weeks, putting a dent to what was expected to be a rebound. Following the pronouncement of Statutory Instrument 0099 of 2020, major formal hospitality and tourism operations were allowed to open, while under the Level 2 lockdown, Statutory Instrument 160 of 2020 allowed restaurants to accommodate sit-in guests.
After a well-thought-out plan to first open tourism to residents, the country suddenly experienced an unexpected rise in the number of people either exposed or contaminated with the coronavirus.
In a survey in Bulawayo last week, it was witnessed that a number of establishments have violated such guidelines. Of concern is the level of laxity shown by some restaurants and lodges that do not adhere to public health protocols such as mandatory temperature checks, hand washing, wearing of masks and maintenance of hygienic standards.
These are part of measures also enforced by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) as guidelines on how to restart the tourism industry amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Personnel at local restaurants are made to be reminded by customers to check on their temperature and in some instances, food serving points are barely sanitised. Staffers had face masks dangling on necks and would serve food with bare hands.
Domestic tourism activity accounts for four percent of business in the industry, according to figures from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA). ZTA has said it is aware of the scenario and has started an intense monitoring of establishments.
“It has, however, come to the attention of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority with great concern that some operators are not following the guidelines and protocols as well as the conditions set out. Operators are advised that the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority regulatory and quality assurance team, in conjunction with relevant arms of Government will be rigorously monitoring and enforcing compliance,” said ZTA.
The authority said it is well aware that there are some businesses that have not followed the World Health Organisation’s guidelines.
“The violation of the guidelines will not only frustrate but also undermine the efforts being made to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the country.”
The authority said the increase in the number of local transmissions of Covid-19 was worrisome.
“As the sector gradually and partially reopens, the ZTA would like to stress the need for all players in the tourism industry to strictly observe and adhere to the set Covid-19 guidelines and protocols. In order to complement Government efforts in containing the spread of the Covid-19 virus, which has recently been on the increase, it is important that both business and consumers play their part,” said the ZTA in an emailed response to the Sunday News.
In an interview, Mr Sikhawuliso Sibanda, a representative of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe said they welcome the move by ZTA to monitor businesses as this will help enforce hygiene standards that are critical for the sector to move forward.
“We as tourism businesses are happy that ZTA is eager to monitor and ensure that everyone abides to the standards in wake of Covid-19.”
Mr Sibanda said it is the view of many tourism enterprises that while monitoring is in place, the Government has to support the push for domestic tourism by removing Value Added Tax (Vat).
“All the proposals put in place to see the re-emergence of the hospitality and tourism industry are commendable. However, we call upon the Government to remove VAT from domestic tourism. The tax break will help us resuscitate the industry and ensure that we charge what is affordable to the local residents,” he said.
Brand Zimbabwe tourism ambassador Mr Carl Joshua Ncube applauded the ZTA for its plans to reawaken the industry.
“I want to pay tribute to ZTA for being tireless in understanding Covid-19 and its impacts on tourism in Zimbabwe. We want to see how the new normal looks like and this is the time for the sector to focus on a forgotten and neglected market,” he said.
