Restaurant industry weighing up options amid easing of lockdown
The Restaurant Association of South Africa says some of its members have decided to only resume operations once the lockdown has been completely lifted.
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the gradual ease of the lockdown to allow industries to come back into operation under strict conditions.
Ramaphosa made it clear that several restrictions will remain in place regardless of the level of alert, as long as the risk of transmission is present – leaving the restaurant industry in limbo.
“Bars and shebeens would remain closed as well as conference and convention centers, entertainment venues, cinemas, and theatres, while concerts, sporting events, and religious, cultural and, social gatherings would not be allowed until it was deemed safe for them to continue,” Ramaphosa said.
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The association’s CEO Wendy Williams says it will be difficult for restaurants to operate as long as gatherings are prohibited.
"We are one of the industries that have been hit the hardest and there has been no financial support and relief to set us in a viable financial position to enable us to open effectively. Several large restaurants have decided to close until the lockdown is completely over, they are not willing to take up the risk of running up more operational expenses and get themselves into more debt.”
She says establishments that offer take-away and delivery options are weighing up their health and hygiene options to allow them to operate.