This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
On July 2, 2020, Zimbabwe's government announced a significant relaxation of lockdown regulations, allowing the country's national parks to reopen to the public and permitting restaurants to serve food within their premises.
The move is aimed at rescuing the country's hospitality sector, which has been severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. The sector was among the hardest hit by the lockdown, which was imposed at the end of March to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa revealed that the decision to reopen the parks and allow restaurants to serve food was made after receiving requests from industry stakeholders.
"In the tourism and hospitality sector, requests for variations of operating conditions in respect of restaurant operators and to reopen safari operators for local hunting only and national parks were granted," Ms Mutsvangwa told journalists in Harare after a Cabinet meeting.
Under the new regulations, restaurants will be allowed to serve food within their premises, but only for domestic tourists. The relaxation of the regulations is expected to boost the country's tourism industry, which is one of Zimbabwe's biggest foreign currency earners, with over 2.5 million people visiting the country every year.
