Photo taken on April 1, 2020 shows the empty Independence avenue in Namibia's capital Windhoek. Namibia has availed 8.1 billion Namibian dollars (about 450 million U.S. dollars) stimulus and relief package geared at addressing the negative effects arising from the first 21-day lockdown period, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)
WINDHOEK, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has availed 8.1 billion Namibian dollars (about 450 million U.S. dollars) stimulus and relief package geared at addressing the negative effects arising from the first 21-day lockdown period, officials said Wednesday.
Speaking to the media, Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi said the package is directed at formal and informal businesses in sectors which are directly affected by the lockdown measures as well as households.
"To avoid further retrenchments in the hardest-hit sectors, Government will provide a wage subsidy to aid businesses in keeping employees on board in the tourism, travel and aviation and construction sectors. Details will vary between sectors," Shiimi said.
According to the minister, part of the money will also cater for related labour market aspects such as job retention to mitigate the negative impact on income and provide for the basic amenities for households such as potable water.
Namibia has so far recorded 13 positive COVID-19 cases.
