After a tense month for the restaurant industry when South Africa went into lockdown to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus Covid-19, a slight relaxation of restrictions is being implemented from 1 May. This means good news for restaurants that normally offer a delivery service as a standard, but for sit-down restaurants it is still a worry.

What can you expect as a consumer?

1. Restaurants can open but are only allowed to offer a delivery service.
2. No collecting will be allowed. You will have to order via a delivery service like UberEats or Mr Delivery or other local services. Some restaurants may offer their own delivery service.
3. The population will still be under a curfew between 8pm to 5am daily. Restaurants will be able to deliver between 9am and 7pm.
4. Deliveries will need to be kept contactless. So masks and gloves for all drivers. Pay via Apps to be preferred and orders will be placed on the floor. You should also ensure to sanitise packages received thoroughly and washing your hands when bringing it inside.

So this means that mostly takeaways and fast-food franchises will re-open and many sit-down restaurants won’t be able to have a strong enough delivery trade to cover their rent, salaries and other expenses.

On the upside, if you’ve had enough of your own cooking, this will come as a welcome relief to many.