Last night President Ramaphosa announced that the whole country will move down, or is it up, to Level 3 on 1 June 2020, one of the announced changes being that Restaurants may still not open for sit-down meals, but they may offer not only a Delivery Service, but a Food Collection Service from 1 June onwards too. The Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) had lobbied Government for this concession, and has expressed its gratitude for it being granted on behalf of the restaurant industry. Continue reading →
A number of restaurants feel that the Government should allow its clients to collect their food orders from outside the restaurant, in the car park or on a drive-by basis, for example, deeming the risk of a Corona Virus infection to be far reduced in this manner. It also cuts out the costs of the delivery service, borne by the client ultimately, companies like Uber Eats and Mr D taking up to 30% in fees. They are supported in this call by Wendy Alberts, CEO of the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA). 
The Government is easing the restrictions of the economy, slowly but surely, and gazetted the opening up of three further industries two days ago, with immediate effect: Car sales, Winter clothing, and small businesses. Some of the Winter Clothing regulations are deemed to be a joke. 
In an address to the nation, after a 19 day absence, President Cyril Ramaphosa thanked the nation for its role in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. He indicated that ‘most of the country’ is likely to move to Level 3 by the end of May. However, a regional approach may be implemented, which may mean that areas with higher infections and lesser health facilities may remain at Level 4, without mentioning which these would be. The President made a pledge to respect the rights of the people of our country, and that the Government will make amends in where it has disappointed the nation and made mistakes.