Luxury Lusaka Hotel Closed due to Covid-19

The Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Lusaka has been forced to temporarily close its doors as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. 

The Zambia Unified Union of Tourism and Hospitality says the hotel has already sent its 180 workers home on paid leave. 

After speaking to management and government ministers, union bosses say they are hopeful that no workers will lose their jobs permanently. 

Further consultations between the various stakeholders are set to take place later this week. 

Union General Secretary Emmanuel Kapopo has called on the government to listen to the demands of the Livingstone Tourism Association and waive the tourism levy and other taxes in order to cushion the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic. 

As of Thursday morning Zambia has recorded 39 cases of Covid-19, with no new cases reported in the last six days.