Green light for sit-down meals at restaurants from Monday
Restaurants across the country are expected to open their doors for sit-down meals on Monday.
Eateries and coffee shops will take sit-down customers for the first time since the start of the national lockdown in March.
But no alcohol can be served for consumption on-site.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane gave the industry the green light on Friday.
“We are continuing with the efforts to reactivate the tourism sector so that we can save businesses and jobs in the sector,” she said.
“We are cognisant that daily many people are losing their jobs, but the reality is that we do have a pandemic that must be fought against.”
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Restaurants will have to keep record of the patrons that come through their doors on a daily basis.
Tables must also be at least 1.5 meters apart.
“We are hoping that South Africans will get out, go sit in a restaurant and have a meal so that you can provide a livelihood for those that are in the restaurant.”
The Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) has welcomed the decision.
“We personally thank our Minister of Tourism for her tireless efforts to open the restaurants under these favourable conditions,” RASA CEO Wendy Alberts said in a statement.
“We will deal with the liquor issue and attempt to get the liquor restrictions lifted.”