Cabinet has decided to move the nationwide Covid-19 curfew back by one hour to 10pm to allow restaurants to offer a full dinner service, but opted to retain the total ban on alcohol sales.
In addition, intra-provincial leisure travel is also allowed, meaning people can leave their homes to go on holiday.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane yesterday conceded that Covid-19 restrictions have had a crippling impact on the tourism and hospitality sector.
She said that in discussions with the restaurant sector, the curfew and the alcohol ban were flagged as the two main constraints on business.
“In response to this challenge, Cabinet has agreed to move the curfew to start at 10pm to allow for uninterrupted dinner service.
“We believe that this change will go a long way towards increasing their revenue generation. The sale of alcohol remains prohibited.”
Kubayi-Ngubane said the fluctuating risk of Coronavirus transmission has dictated that the government “pace ourselves in our efforts to reopen” the tourism industry.
“Many businesses are at risk and many jobs have already been lost. However, we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact.”
Cabinet also decided to ease the restrictions around leisure travel.
The minister stressed that travel for leisure purposes between provinces remained prohibited.
“Let me emphasise, it is only intra-provincial travel. Individuals are still not permitted to travel between provinces.”
The minister said the changes would come into effect as soon as the amended regulations were gazetted.
African News Agency/(ANA)