WATCH: North Coast restaurants take to the streets protesting “devastating” lockdown rules

Restaurants on the North Coast lent their voice to the nationwide protest held today to highlight the economic plight of the sector as a result of the stringent lockdown regulations.

Organised by the Restaurant Association of South Africa (Rasa), restaurant owners and staff stood in solidarity for the #JobsSaveLives and “million seats on the streets” campaign, blocking the roads outside their premises by dragging tables and chairs into the streets between midday and 2pm.

The mass protest action also drew attention to the devastating effects the liquor ban has had on the industry.

It is estimated that up to 70 % of jobs, accounting for an estimated 800 000 people, have been lost to date.

The sector closed when the hard lockdown started on March 27 up to the end of May.

https://www.facebook.com/northcoastcourier/videos/4086585011416679/

However, when the country moved to level 3 at the beginning of June the restaurant industry continued to suffer as they were barred from selling meals for sit-down customers or on-site consumption of alcohol.

The recent reinstatement of the alcohol ban and the curfew ban was another blow to the restaurant, tourism and hospitality industries which are in a desperate fight for survival.

Umdloti’s SandBar restaurant and cocktail bar owner, Leonard Staples said the continued ban on the sale of alcohol was killing the sector.

After nearly four months of the lockdown, owners are calling for some of the lockdown regulations to be eased as their businesses are taking huge financial strain.

“We employed 32 staff and only 7 of them received UIF payments for April.

“The rest of my staff are still waiting for their UIF.

“Since June we have been operating at limited capacity and without any support from government for the loss of income our situation is critical,” said Staples.

Old North at Karibu owner, Diane Duncan said that she was very disappointed with the lack of government support.

“We stand united with all restaurants and want government to know the devastation we have survived.

“We are also protesting against insurance companies which we are still waiting to pay out,” she said.

According to Duncan, insurance companies are delayed in court matters, however she feels that these companies should still have come to their aid.

https://www.facebook.com/northcoastcourier/videos/571650163513527/

“Companies which had reasonable balance sheets at the end of February have absolutely been decimated.

“It is totally unacceptable. We want to make a statement saying that we need to be counted.

“We have staff and families to look after,” said Duncan.

Fiamma Grill owner Fabien Durocher-Yvon joined more than 100 peaceful protesters in Ballito, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to open up the industry.

“We as a community are standing together to draw attention to the devastating effects the lockdown regulations have had on the sector.

“Everyone present has been affected by the restrictions placed on the restaurants and we are here to highlight our plight,” he said.

Download The North Coast Courier mobile app, now available free from the Apple iStore and on Google Play, for IOS and Android phones.