sanitisers

BCC hands over donated COVID -19 materials to traders

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Bulawayo City Council (BCC) yesterday handed over materials to fight COVID-19 on behalf of Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA). This follows a handing over ceremony that was held at City Hall in partnership with Vendors Initiative for Socio – Economic Transformation, which has worked with BVTA in various initiatives in Harare and Bulawayo over the past years.  The materials included sanitizers, hand washing water dispenser buckets, face masks and information education materials. Sekusile informal traders told The Vendors Voice that they were happy with the materials received, because it was a challenge for them to purchase sanitizers and other materials to fight the spread of the virus. “We are happy that the Association has supported us with these materials, we were worried because we did not know how we were going to purchase all of these materials”, said Mr D. Mbavare, a Committee member at Sekusile Market. Speaking during the handover event at Sekusile Market, Councillor Rodney Jele told informal traders and council officials including health workers that he is happy that traders are now back to work and they can now support their families. He also urged informal economy workers to maintain physical and social distancing in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to sell their wares in a clean environment as this will help them to attract more customers. Addressing the gathering, BVTA Information Officer Kwanele Moyo said that the materials handed over by the organisations will help traders fight the spread of the virus. The informal sector is among the sectors that were greatly affected by COVID -19 and is now re-opening following the relaxation of lockdown restrictions by the government and traders are expected to observe the recommended Wealth Health Organisation (WHO) measures.

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SMEs urged to maximise on Covid-19 business spoils

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SMALL to medium enterprises (SMEs) should take advantage of the growing demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) and detergents following the outbreak of Covid-19 to increase production and boost earnings, Cabinet Minister has said. In an interview Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, said SMEs involved in the clothing sector and production of chemicals should take advantage of the increased demand for their products as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. “We have called on SMEs involved in the clothing sector to start producing face masks because the country needs more than 20 million face masks. “They should, however, approach relevant institutions such as Nust (National University of Science and Technology), which have been given the greenlight by SAZ (Standard Association of Zimbabwe) to certify products for use in the fight against Covid-19. She said there is also high demand for sanitisers and the SMEs should ensure the quality meets the required alcohol content. Dr Nyoni said her ministry would engage the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to facilitate the setting up of satellite stations to certify PPEs and detergents manufactured by SMEs. A number of SMEs are already producing some of the Covid-19 materials such sanitisers, personal protective equipment which includes face masks. Dr Nyoni said Government has already identified National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) as the sole buyer of Covid-19 materials. “After the products have been approved, the SMEs can then mass produce for NatPharm which buys on behalf of Government,” she said. Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Zimbabwe executive director Mr Farai Mutambanengwe said SMEs should seize this opportunity to improve on productivity and quality in order to substitute some imports. “Its an opportunity arising from a crisis but we have to take advantage of it to boost production and at the same time save the country the much needed foreign currency,” he said. Mr Mutambanengwe warned against producing sub-standard products which he said put people’s lives at risk. “We should appreciate the impact of sub-standard products on people’s lives hence the need to ensure our products are certified before release to the market. “There are many companies producing sanitisers but as long as these sanitisers do not meet the minimum requirements, they will put people’s lives at risk,” he said.

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GUIDELINES FOR THE RESILIENT FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN SYSTEM DURING AND AFTER THE LOCKDOWN

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Following the announcement of the lockdown by the President, the food supply chain was negatively affected with the closure of mass markets and vending sites across the country. Therefore, the country needs a resilient food supply chain as part of national emergency response strategy to COVID-19 to avoid food supply shocks which may be caused by the lockdown in order to guarantee every Zimbabwean an uninterrupted food supply during and after the lockdown period. – There is an essential need to ensure that all movements of food from farmers to distribution hubs or food markets, and forward movement to vending sites, comply with the strict hygiene requirements and social distancing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidelines for food Markets – Availability of adequate potable water supply – Each vendor must have sanitisers/ potable handwashing facility with soap on their stalls besides the designated handwashing facilities; vendors should regularly sanitise their hands. – Movement of people into the market should be defined and controlled; – Loitering in the market strictly prohibited. – No preparation of food to be done in the market. – 1 metre distance apart to be maintained. – The sale of ready prepared food brought in containers must be strictly prohibited e.g samoosas. Vendors /Vending Sites All vending should be done at designated vending sites approved by local authorities. Vendors must be medically fit. Vendors to sell at a distance of 1 metre from the client to promote social distancing and sanitizing hands. Sanitary facilities Must have a continuous supply of water, with handwashing facilities with soap provided. Disinfection of market places by Local Authorities must be done before the opening and after the close of markets to minimise the spread of COVID19. Approved sanitisers that contain at least 70% alcohol must be used. All vendors in the food supply chain must be registered by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA). Food Markets Committee There will be a committee set up in order to monitor and oversee all booking and distribution and supplies to vending sites at national, provincial and district levels. Their roles are as follows: Monitoring supply chains and collecting statistics of quantities and prices. Tracking food losses along the supply chain. Report all information to the AMA. Training and capacity building of vendors and traders. Dissemination of information, regulations, guidelines and materials to associations. Outcomes Improved traceability of food hygiene, improving the quality of food consumed as well as ensuring transparency in pricing, all of which helps ensure food nutrition and combating COVID19.

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