Bereng Mpaki
THE government has suspended all company registration services due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) induced lockdown which started Monday and ends on 21 April 2020.
The majority of government departments have stopped their normal operations while only left skeleton staff has been retained for essential services.
This follows the announcement of a three-week national down by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus that has so far killed three people and infected close to 1 300 others in neighbouring South Africa.
“We have suspended traders licenses registration and renewals services until further notice,” minister Halebonoe Setšabi told the Lesotho Times this week.
He also said any penalties that may arise as a result of the suspension of these services during the lockdown period would be waivered.
“Businesses that would have to pay any fees during this time would not be charged penalties.”
The minister also emphasised the need for providers of non-essential service to close down.
“Following the declaration of a lockdown in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 by the Prime Minister; the Ministry of Trade and Industry has identified businesses which will continue operating during the lockdown.
“We recognise that all businesses are essential; but under the prevailing situation where the world is fighting Covid-19, the ministry recommends that the following businesses continue operating as normal.
“These are businesses which provide essential services; food retailers; pharmacies; fuel (coal, wood, gas, paraffin); petroleum oil (petrol and diesel); water; mortuaries and other related services; banks; farm feeds.
“Businesses that do not appear on the list, should remain closed during the lockdown. While those that will be operating, are expected to open between 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, except for mortuaries, garages and pharmacies among a few others which operate 24 hours daily.
“We further recommend the businesses to comply to the Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines,” the ministry said in a statement.
