More job losses in tourism sector if 2nd Covid wave hits, warns minister

Kubayi-Ngubane made the remarks during a domestic travel campaign in Bela-Bela on Friday.

“We do believe that if indeed South Africa can be hit by a second wave, the tourism sector will suffer. We will lose a lot of jobs and businesses. 

“We do believe that we have a second chance to try and recover and anything that can happen will take us backwards so we are not looking forward to that.”

There are mounting concerns that the country, which has thus far recorded over 712 000 infections, will be hit by a second wave of the deadly virus.

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Since the move to level 1 of the lockdown mid-September, the country has seen an increase in new daily infections. 

However, Kubayi-Ngubane says trends observed internationally show that South Africa is in a better position.

“What we have picked up is that we are still fortunate because we have a long summer so that gives us a bit of an advantage. 

“What we have been given as feedback is where the danger is in indoor activities. We want to urge South Africans to reduce indoor parties or stop them altogether.”