BusinessTech reports today that Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has written to our National Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize for certain Lockdown regulations to be relaxed in his Province, in order to save jobs in the Western Cape. The restaurant and alcohol beverage industries are bleeding badly under the Adjusted Level 3 regulations, with the Curfew starting at 21h00 and alcohol sales banned currently.

The Premier has motivated his request on the basis of the Western Cape having ‘exited the second wave peak, as well as details of health interventions.’

Some of the changes which Premier Winde has requested are the following :

• The ban on beaches and other public spaces should be lifted. Winde said that open spaces with good ventilation are safer and they do not provide a high risk. He added that the festive season is now over, and people are back at work.

• The curfew hours should be changed to 23h00 to 04h00 as the current curfew makes it impossible for restaurants to provide a dinner service and this sector is buckling as a result.

• A closing time for 22h00 should be set for establishments, as this will allow for staff to get home before curfew begins.

• Alcohol sales should be permitted off-site from Monday to Thursday, and not permitted on the weekend.

• Alcohol sales should be permitted at wine farms on the weekend, as this is the time when most visitors come to wine farms.

• On-site alcohol consumption should be allowed. Winde said that if restaurants cannot sell alcohol with dinner service, they will not remain profitable and will be forced to close. This will result in many job losses.