The City of Cape Town has called on the National Government to end the curfew to let businesses and informal traders get back to trading in full.
According to the city’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos, not only have 27 807 355 vaccine doses been administered but after nearly two years of living in the pandemic, South Africans have learned to do what’s necessary to be COVID-compliant.
“We cannot let the economy and, in particular our hospitality and tourism sectors, small businesses and informal traders, endure further losses due to restricted trading hours.
As it is, the joblessness rate is at a shocking 46.6%. As a nation, we are all too sadly aware of the knock-on socioeconomic effects of a high unemployment rate,” Vos said.
Also read: National Health Department does a U-turn on quarantine protocols
Vos explained that as the vaccine rollout continues and we everyone play their part to be safe, it’s time for government together with industry leaders to turn their attention to firing up the ailing economy with every hour of trading.
“We must boost job and training opportunities and let people regain their livelihoods and dignity. I will continue to engage with sectoral leaders and organisations such as restaurant groups, the South African Informal Traders Alliance, hospitality associations such as the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa and others, to join our call to end curfew,” Vos said.
Read more:
Picture: Pexels