Restaurants suffer under new regulations – local tourism association
“There is no restriction on supermarket shopping. What, in essence, would be the difference between shopping at the supermarket and collecting hot prepared meals from the restaurant?”
Restaurants are preparing for a court battle against government over new lockdown regulations prohibiting them from operating except through deliveries, the Tshwane Tourism Association (TTA) restaurant chapter has announced.
According to the association, the decision was made after it became clear the government was “hell-bent on delivering Covid-19 door-to-door through intermediaries” by prohibiting take-away collections at food outlets.
“At no stage were the restaurateurs consulted on the best possible way of framing a regulation relating to their business activities,” the TTA said in a statement.
“There is no restriction on supermarket shopping. What, in essence, would be the difference between shopping at the supermarket and collecting hot prepared meals from the restaurant?”
The association said delivery services, which are currently the only way for consumers to get restaurant meals under new regulations, were charging in the region of 10% and 25% of the price of the food being delivered.
“This is dependent on the value of the order and further subject to a minimum fee. This cost is carried by the restaurant,” it said.
“One measure that has been touted to ‘save waiters’ is through the utilisation of their vehicles to deliver ‘food for tips’ with no delivery charge being levied. This is not a viable option.
“Insurance companies have made it quite clear that personal and business-use carry different premiums making the transition too expensive and burdensome for the waiter.
“Simply put, many restaurants are simply not geared to do deliveries even if they tried, no matter how ‘innovative’.”
The TTA points to the following as problem areas for restaurant owners:
– Municipal rates and taxes: Restaurant owners are still being billed full rates and taxes and other government fees even when they are not allowed to operate
– Landlords: There has been no rental relief for restaurant owners.
– Food Wastage: Tons of food is having to be discarded, daily, due to erratic order behaviour and supply chain impairment
– Townships: Food couriers, many of whom are foreign nationals, have refused to deliver meals in the townships out of fear. This means that thousands of take-aways may never be delivered to township residents.
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