Fast-food, alcohol retailers should operate
Pressure is mounting on the government to relax Covid-19 lockdown regulations to keep some sectors of the economy alive.
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) wants the government to consider opening up the fast-food industry and use it as a template for opening up other sectors in a way that would not undermine efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
Sacci CEO Alan Mukoki said the fast-food industry already observed high health and safety standards that could be enhanced to limit the risk of Covid-19.
“As a start, prepared food orders can be distributed through drive-throughs and delivery channels, then followed by take-away or call-and-collect under strict social distancing. No sit-downs to be permitted,” Mukoki said.
“The government has put in relief measures in terms of how to support them financially with money that the government itself does not have. So, if you then start to find a way to remove some of that dependency on the state from SMME relief support fund, we will be helping the government.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa this week extended the lockdown, which was initially set to be lifted on April 16. It will now end on April 30.
In his address to the nation, the president said his administration would “evaluate how
we will embark on risk-adjusted measures that can enable a phased recovery of the economy, allowing the return to operation of certain sectors under strictly controlled conditions”.
Other sectors like the tobacco and alcohol industry have also been pushing hard for the government to relax some of the regulations and allow them to operate.
Beer Association of South Africa (Basa), which represents the Craft Brewers Association, Heineken and SAB, has submitted a proposal to the government suggesting the reopening of beer halls as take-away outlets.
Basa CEO Patricia Pillay said a further 14-day extension to the lockdown would put livelihoods at risk.
“In the last 15 days, we have had news of many beer outlets shutting their doors, with several people being retrenched. With an industry that employs close to 250 000 people, these are many lives that are now being placed at risk,” Pillay said.
“Secondary industries are also impacted by the shutdown, such as glass and bottle manufacturers, print and design companies, transportation, retailers, equipment manufacturers, electricians, plumbers, farmers and many more.”
The Presidency did not respond to Sunday World questions at the time of going to print
