Expert wants economic activities sustained

RSM Zambia Chartered Accountants has called for heightened surveillance and mitigation to avoid further escalation of Covid-19 cases so that the economic activities can continue without compromising the health of the nation.

Ian Ncube, RSM Zambia Chartered Accountants Managing Partner, said the country’s economy could not afford a lockdown in the manner seen in other countries.

Mr Ncube said it was in this regard that his organisation made the clarion call to the people of Zambia to do what was necessary to keep the country going.

“We also urge for strict adherence to the public health guidelines on the part of the economic units and the general public.

“Our economy cannot afford a lockdown in the manner seen in other countries and it is in this regard that we make this clarion call to the people of Zambia to do what is necessary to keep the country going,” he said in a statement.

Mr Ncube said going by the experience from the first wave of Covid-19, Government made the right decision not shutting down the economy.

This, he explained, remained the only viable option for the country all else considered.

He said the 3rd quarter of 2020 was characterised by low rates of Covid-19 cases in Zambia which seemed that Zambia perhaps was past the worst of the pandemic, at least locally.

“This perception was re-enforced by the relaxation of the various social distancing and preventative measures that had been instituted by both the Central and Local government structures,” Mr Ncube said.

On the economic front, he said, there was a general feeling that 2021 would ensue with an upturn in economic activity and businesses, small and large were looking to return to some semblance of normalcy in 2021.

Mr Ncube expressed sadness that this positive outlook had been dealt a blow by the surge in the cases recorded at the onset of the year.

“The situation has been exacerbated by the discovery of a new variant of the virus so far dubbed ‘the South African variant’.

“This new variant which is reported to be more aggressive has been recorded in Zambia. A cloud of fear and concern has yet again gripped the nation and there now is a lot of uncertainty with regards how the year will unfold,” he said.