Today is a day of excitement as well as disappointment for restaurateurs, who have so looked forward to reopening their doors for a Sit-Down Service. The official reopening date is today, but sadly it appears that many restaurant doors will remain closed, restaurateurs citing the prohibition of serving alcohol with a meal, and this being the quietest time of the year for restaurants as the reasons why they will not reopen now, continuing with their Food and Alcohol Delivery and Collection Service. Continue reading →
The Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has just announced the reopening of the Restaurant industry on Monday 29 June 2020, following the regulations as per below. The Minister apologised that the industry had to wait so long to receive the regulations and opening date, after the reopening of Restaurants for Sit-Down was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 17 June 2020!
It is unbelievable that the Government is keeping Restaurants, Bars, Shebeens, and Taverns in the dark as to the reopening date, as well as the regulations which will determine under which conditions Restaurants may welcome back diners for Sit-Down Service, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa over a week ago. If restaurants are to reopen on 1 July, as is assumed, it gives them less than a week to set up after a three-month closure due to Lockdown Levels 5 and 4.