The Ministry of Economy and Trade in the caretaker government announced the sectors included in the second phase of the circular regarding the gradual reopening of economic sectors.
The National News Agency reported that the Minister of Economy and Trade, Raoul Nehme, issued circular number 2/1/A.T. concerning the gradual reopening of economic sectors, in accordance with the decision of the specialized ministerial committee managing the national COVID-19 crisis, and as part of the implementation of the second phase of the mentioned decision related to the reopening of the commercial sector starting from March 1, 2021.
The circular called upon all companies and commercial institutions included in the decision to adhere to all preventive measures and procedures against the COVID-19 virus outlined in this regard, and to take the necessary organizational and logistical measures for reopening on the specified date, including conducting PCR tests for their employees.
The statement emphasized that the timing of opening these sectors and the mechanism for obtaining the required permits will be determined through a statement issued by the National Operations Room for Disaster Management at the Grand Serail.
The commercial sectors included are as follows:
1. Wholesale trade of food, beverages, and tobacco.
2. Retail trade of textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather goods.
3. Retail trade of construction, engineering, and agricultural equipment.
4. Retail trade of alcoholic beverages.
5. Retail trade of tobacco and its products.
6. Retail trade of perfumes and cosmetics.
7. Retail trade of footwear and leather goods.
8. Retail trade of fabrics and linens.
9. Retail trade of clothing and furs.
10. Retail trade of furniture and furnishings.
11. Retail trade of household equipment.
12. Retail trade of electrical household appliances, radios, and televisions.
13. Retail trade of chandeliers, decorations, and ornamentation tools.
14. Retail trade of mobile phones and their spare parts.
15. Retail trade of sports goods and recreational tools.
16. Retail trade of toys and games.
17. Retail trade of musical instruments.
18. Retail trade of watches and jewelry.
19. Retail trade of antiques and old artistic artifacts.
20. Shopping malls (Malls).
21. Retail trading in specialized stores for products not classified elsewhere.
The circular noted that consumer protection monitors and all judicial police elements, each within their jurisdiction, have been tasked with monitoring the compliance of the shops concerned with this circular and preparing reports against violators to refer them to the competent judiciary for the imposition of appropriate penalties.
