A report just seen on News24 states that the Government has announced that all licensed restaurants, shebeens, clubs, and bars have to close their doors at 18h00 on Mondays to Saturdays, and at 13h00 on Sundays and public holidays, with immediate effect. This is a devastating announcement for the hospitality industry which was not addressed  by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech on Sunday evening. Hotels have been instructed to take greater care to prevent and to contain the spread of the COVID-19 Virus in their establishments.

It would appear that unlicensed restaurants can still serve meals after 18h00, and that there are no restrictions on hotels in serving drinks and food. No more than 50 persons may be inside a licensed establishment at any one time. What is uncertain is if hotel bars and restaurants are excluded from the curfew. 

 

The News24 report follows: 

‘As part of the Disaster Management Act, government has just introduced strict new measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. 

On Sunday, president Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster.

With immediate effect, all establishments – including bars, clubs, shebeens and restaurants – that sell liquor must close at 18:00 on weekdays and Saturdays, and at 13:00 on Sundays and public holidays.

The establishments may only open at 09:00 the next morning.

The same regulations apply to all liquor stores.

All on-consumption premises selling liquor, including taverns, restaurants and clubs, are not allowed to have more than 50 people at the same time – or must be closed with immediate effect.

These places must also all adhere to strict hygienic conditions.

Hotels that sell liquor must also implement measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.

No special or events liquor licences will be granted during the duration of the national state of disaster.

One owner of a upscale bar in Tshwane told Fin24 that the consequences of the new regulations would be devastating for his venture. Business has already deteriorated over the past week and he fears that he may default on his rent this month.

A Cape Town restaurant operator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the new regulations discriminate against licensed restaurants by allowing unlicensed restaurants to trade without restrictions’. 

 

David Raad, owner of Caprice in Camps Bay and a number of Hudson’s burger outlets, wrote these stirring words when I contacted him this morning about the new Law:

’We need to accept it! Will make it very difficult to pay the bills at the end of the month but we all in it together!! Just hope businesses can last through this as I see a lot of casualties coming and the response from some others guys in the industry is :

Game over

 

POSTSCRIPT 18 March 2020: The new law regarding Liquor Outlets was promulgated in the Government Gazette today: 

‘Liquor Outlets:

Limitation on the sale, dispensing or transportation of liquor 8.
(1) All on-consumption premises selling liquor, including taverns, restaurants and clubs, must be closed with immediate effect, or must accommodate no more than 50 persons at any time: Provided that adequate space is available and that all directions in respect of hygienic conditions and limitation of exposure to persons with COVID-19, are adhered to.

(2) All premises selling liquor which provide accommodation must implement measures to stop the spread of COVID-19: Provided that adequate space is available and that all directions in respect of hygienic conditions and limitation of exposure to persons with COVID-19 are adhered to.

(3) No special or events liquor licenses may be considered for approval during the duration of the national state of disaster.

(4) All on-consumption premises selling liquor referred to in subregulation (1) must be closed — (i) (ii) (i) (ii) between 18:00 and 09:00 the next morning on weekdays and Saturdays; and from 13:00 on Sundays and public holidays.

(5) All off-consumption premises selling liquor must be closed — between 18:00 and 09:00 the next morning on weekdays and Saturdays; and from 13:00 on Sundays and public holidays.

 

POSTSCRIPT 19 March 2020: In Camps Bay tonight the only restaurants that were closed after 18h00 were Mynt, Tiger’s Milk, The Butcher, Chinchilla, Zenzero, Paranga, Bilbao, Sunset Sessions, and SurfShack. It was business as usual for the rest.

POSTSCRIPT 20 March 2020: Here is a continuously updated list of Restaurants which have closed temporarily: 

Corona Virus: Cancellations of events and temporary closures of Tourist venues and restaurants!

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein