The Minister of Economy and Trade in the caretaker government, Raoul Nehme, issued circular No. 2/1/A regarding the gradual reopening of economic sectors. This is in accordance with the decision of the specialized ministerial committee managing the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as part of the implementation of the second phase of the mentioned decision related to the reopening of the commercial sector starting from 01/03/2021. The text of the circular states:
All companies and commercial institutions covered by the decision are requested to adhere to all preventive measures and procedures regarding the coronavirus, which have been circulated in this regard, and to take the necessary organizational and logistical measures for reopening on the specified date. This includes conducting PCR tests for their employees, and the timing for the opening of these sectors and the mechanism for obtaining the required permits will be determined by a statement issued in due time by the National Operations Room for Disaster Management in the Grand Serail.
The commercial sectors include the following:
1. Wholesale of food, beverages, and tobacco
2. Retail of textiles, clothing, shoes, and leather goods
3. Retail of construction and engineering equipment and agriculture
4. Retail of alcoholic beverages
5. Retail of tobacco and its products
6. Retail of perfumes and cosmetics
7. Retail of shoes and leather goods
8. Retail of fabrics and linens
9. Retail of clothing and furs
10. Retail of furniture and furnishings
11. Retail of home appliances
12. Retail of electrical household appliances, radios, and televisions
13. Retail of chandeliers and decorative items
14. Retail of mobile phones and their spare parts
15. Retail of sports goods and recreational tools
16. Retail of toys and games
17. Retail of musical instruments
18. Retail of watches and jewelry
19. Retail of antiques and old art pieces
20. Shopping malls
21. Retail in specialized stores for products not classified elsewhere.
Consumer protection monitors and all judicial police elements, each within their jurisdiction, are tasked with monitoring compliance by the shops concerned with this circular and organizing reports against those who violate it, referring them to the competent judiciary to impose appropriate penalties against them.
