The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) survey conducted on the effect of COVID-19 on selected businesses in the country reveals that 96.5 percent of businesses that responded have adversely been affected by COVID-19 and will continue to be affected in the coming months.
The survey further revealed that 50 percent of the businesses indicated that they traded partially while 25.2 percent were temporarily closed, NSA Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni said Tuesday.
“The majority of operating businesses have indicated a reduction in local customer demand as the most common current and future effect experienced by 68.8 percent and 65.1 percent of the businesses, respectively,” he added.
Furthermore, he said 63.7 percent of businesses reported revenue loss of over 50 percent with the manufacturing sector (20.1 percent) hotels and restaurants (15.2 percent) and construction sector (11.3 percent) bearing most of the brunt.
Shimuafeni said the survey which was conducted between April 29 to May 5 was designed as an experimental study aimed at providing an early indicator of the business impact resulting from COVID-19 during the stage one of the state of emergency.
