Exploring the Effects of Travel Restrictions due to Covid-19 On Closure on Women Owned Businesses in Nairobi County: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and its swift spread worldwide had devastating effects on all aspects of people’s lives and livelihoods. This paper is a qualitative enquiry designed to explore the effects of travel restrictions due to COVID 19 key among them being closure of businesses. The objectives of the study are to: (i) find out the number of women owned businesses that closed down from the perceptions of business owners: (ii) assess the effects of the closure of businesses on THE owners: (iii) document the coping strategies the owners adopted to mitigate the negative effects: (iv) establish the support that was extended to the businesses: (v) identify strategies to mitigate future crises and disasters. The Feminist standpoint theory was used to guide the study. Non-probability sampling through snowballing was used to obtain participants for the study. Data was collected using an interview schedule targeting owners of businesses that closed. These provided vivid descriptions of lived experiences and perspectives of the devastating effects of COVID 19 and suggested strategies to prepare for future crises and disasters. The key findings were that about 30-50% of businesses closed down resulting in huge economic losses in employment and income; financial burdens such as hefty loans and overdrafts; psychological trauma including mental anguish and destabilization. The coping measures adopted included diversification of businesses, relocation to cheaper residential areas and downgrading lifestyles. Identified strategies to mitigate future crises included broadening to include various income streams, compulsory self-contributory insurance, development of local tourism packages that are pocket friendly and a disaster preparedness policy by government.