Restaurants to remain open amid Covid-19 outbreak
Restaurants across the country are expected to remain open amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The rise in the tally of infections in South Africa to 62 has prompted various government departments to implement measured to minimise the impact of the virus.
On Monday the Department of Tourism met with the Restaurants Association of South Africa (Rasa).
Rasa CEO Wendy Alberts says the department gave restaurants the green light to continue operating, but to do so under strict conditions.
"Following consultation with the minister today, we've been advised that at this point in time restaurants will not close.
"The big key concern was about social gatherings of 100 people or more in restaurants, so we've been advised that restaurants will need to take out some of their tables and chairs and they need to reduce their seating capacity. They need to do social distancing with their chairs," says Alberts.
Alberts adds that the safety of patrons remains a priority for the tourism industry.
There are at least 10 000 restaurants across the country, employing more than 6000 people.
Alberts says restaurant owners will be tasked with ensuring that best employee practices are followed.
"I think there is a lot of anxiousness out there. People are scared of losing their jobs, their scared of their livelihood. Those people are sometimes the sole bread winners of 10 to 15 people within their families."
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