An inter-ministerial briefing held last night [April 2] served to inform street vendors and informal traders that they will be allowed to operate during lockdown across the country, provided they already have the permits to do so.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced that vendors will be allowed to sell basic goods.
“Only street vendors that have an existing trading permit that was issued by local municipalities before the Covid-19 lockdown, are allowed to operate. They may only sell basic food products,” the Garden Route Municipality said in a statement.
“Hot meals and food preparation will not be permitted. Spaza shops selling essential groceries are allowed to trade from 8am and 6pm.”
The Garden Route Municipality also addressed rumours that new hawkers and street vendors may request permits during lockdown saying the initial decision has been retracted.
“The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma communicated this statement via various news channels yesterday and this morning,” the Municipality said. “It has however been retracted during a video conference session between the Department and Executive Mayors at 2pm today.”
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