Book Chapter
The Uneven Path to Recovery

COVID-19 cases were first confirmed in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa in March 2020. These countries put in place several stringent measures, including lockdowns. Various policies were rolled out to mitigate adverse impacts, particularly on the vulnerable, and to revive the economy. 

This chapter discusses the evolution of the pandemic and containment measures, the subsequent policy responses, and the effectiveness of these policies. The moderate relief and economic stimulus packages introduced in these countries to support individuals and businesses seems to have helped some workers—however, there seems to have been an uneven recovery in employment and earnings following from these interventions. 

The experiences also show that more needs to be done to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and similar shocks on informal workers, particularly women. These include adequate relief to the poor and vulnerable in a quick, safe, and effective manner.