Cross-border transporters have said their business is among those hardest-hit by Covid-19 pandemic following travel restrictions put in place by countries to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Players in the sector are praying for special cushioning packages, saying resuscitating businesses would be a tall order.

Malawi, a landlocked country, relies heavily on other countries to access the sea.

Most countries which trade with Malawi including South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique had put in place strict travel restrictions or have been on complete lockdown.

Local fuel transporters for instance, say their business has been slow in the past two months despite being categorised among essential services providers.

Chairperson of the association, Gordon Luhanga, said there has been too much uncertainty in the industry and the remaining part of the year looks bleak.

Our earlier estimates show that big buses traveling on the South Africa-Malawi route, for example, lost in excess of K25.2 million each during the 21-day lockdown period in South Africa.