Carte Blanche with Perry
Carte Blanche with Perry
Perry Munzwembiri
Covid-19 : The economics of lockdown in Zimbabwe
20 minutes Posted Apr 22, 2020 at 8:55 pm.
0:00
20:17
Download MP3
Show notes
This crisis is like no other. The Covid-19 pandemic has had dire effects on both public health and the Zimbabwean economy. In reaction to the virus’ spread, like many countries, Zimbabwe has implemented stay-at-home orders and closures of all “non-essential businesses.” This “Great Lockdown” fueled by the Corona virus pandemic will spark the worst global recession since the Great Depression, and stands to worsen if the outbreak can’t be contained. This episode looks at implications of the pandemic to Zimbabwe and how the economy has been faring since the onset of the lockdown. I talk about re-opening Zimbabwe’s economy, the price increase moratorium, depressed diaspora remittances, effect of low oil prices on fuel products locally, and stock market performance. I also look at Zimbabwe’s exclusion from the IMF debt repayment relief program as well as the probability of a government stimulus package to help industry during the Covid-19 crisis.