The Restaurant Association of South Africa (Rasa) says it can’t afford tighter lockdown regulations.
The government is expected to announce tighter restrictions on gatherings and alcohol sales ahead of the Easter holidays.
This comes as South Africa attempts to postpone the arrival of the third Covid-19 wave.
According to Rasa CEO Wendy Alberts, the SA government has not provided the industry with adequate support or relief.
She claims that the industry cannot afford another total shutdown or suspension of the alcohol trade.
“We are left alone to rebuild the industry on our own as entrepreneurs. If there isn’t any support from the government, we can’t afford to be put into any further restrictions.”
“We will continue to advocate that we can, through all the stages of Covid-19, provide a safe experience where we do not put people at risk.”
She says any future government decisions should be backed by research and scientific evidence.
We’ve been putting out motivation again to allow the restaurants to continue to trade.
“There hasn’t been proper consultation with the industry in terms of isolating the industry from uncontrolled spaces and uncontrolled crowds… Restaurants are controlled spaces, we’ve got all the protocols in place.”
“The continuous challenges and conversations that we’ve been having for the last year fall on deaf years. Government closes down the industry but they don’t adequately prepare Ters/UIF or make provisions with the banks.”