COVID-19 Lockdown and Social Distancing Policies and the Sustainability of Small Businesses in South-Eastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study explores the experience of small business operators in South-Eastern Nigeria to underscore the sub-sectoral effects of COVID-19 lockdown measures on small businesses. Although COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing policies are generally perceived to have negative effects on small businesses, this study argues that these policies have had both positive and negative effects on small businesses. Clustering small businesses into three categories: fashion/event, food/drug and general merchandise, the study depicts a cross-sectoral disparity in the patronage level and income streams of small businesses. While the fashion/event businesses experience very low sales and poor performances, the food/drug businesses record high sales/improved performances, and the general merchandise maintains normal sales/performances. The study observes gaps in government’s COVID-19 intervention policies and initiatives (palliatives) on small businesses and proposes new policy directions to cushion the negative impact of lockdown measures and fast track the sustainability of small businesses in post-COVID-19 period.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Interview with 35-year old businessman in Aba-Owerri road, on June 8 2020.

2 Interview with 28-year old camera man along Bida road, Onitsha on 6 July 2020.

3 Interview with 41-year old food seller in MCC road on 15 June 2020.

4 Interview with 33-year old woman along Onuiyi road (behind Ziks Flat, Nsukka) on 17 June 2020.

5 Interview with 36-year old chemist man along Orlu road, Owerri on 23 June 2020.

6 Interviews with a 48-year old supermarket owner in Ofulonu Street, Nsukka on 18 June 2020; and a female tailor in Ogbor Hill, Aba on 8 July 2020.

7 Interview with a Franco bookshop owner, New market road/Iboku street, Onitsha on 6 July 2020.

8 Interview with a computer accessories dealer in University market road, Nsukka on 19 June 2020.