Durban – KwaZulu-Natal business leaders have pleaded with the government to allow tourism and hospitality businesses to restart, as most other sectors are raring to go back to work when the country moves to lockdown level 3 on Monday.
“This has significantly threatened job security on a large scale and further risks business health, resulting in possible closures for businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector, and across its value and supply chain,” Ward said. Ward said the lockdown had also resulted in a significant economic cost to the construction sector, as many sites had to close and projects were put on hold.
Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business chief executive Melanie Veness called for tourism and hospitality businesses to be allowed to operate under level 3, saying they would be able to safely operate under Covid-19 health and safety protocols. Many personal care businesses and restaurants would not survive the extended lockdown.
“They have just been waiting for the word that they can open up and start operating,” Veness said. She said due to the broken supply chain it would be a slow start up and recovery for many. He said this would put additional financial strain on businesses and the Covid-19 regulations would further complicate life for business owners, as unions would declare disputes over perceived non-compliances.