Continued ban on leisure travel may be death knell for many in the tourism and related sectors

STATEMENT BY JAMES VOS, MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND ASSET MANAGEMENT AT THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN.

Continued ban on leisure travel may be death knell for many in the tourism and related sectors

We all have a role to play in bringing down the rate of infection as well as taking all necessary steps to stop the spread of Covid-19. However, we also need to get the economy back up and running and get all our businesses back to work.

In his address to the nation last night, President Ramaphosa failed to mention the reopening of the tourism sector. This after the flip flop late last week on whether or not leisure accommodation is allowed for intra-provincial travel.

I have again engaged the Minister of Tourism, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, to strongly urge her to lobby for and allow the unfettered reopening of the tourism and related sectors, on the strict condition that all health and safety protocols are in place.

I believe that we can get on the road to economic readiness and recovery but only if we reopen all sectors and implement the protocols to keep ourselves and others safe.

Our local economy is on the verge of destruction. We must be allowed to get back to work, particularly in the tourism, hospitality and related sectors. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are on the line and we cannot afford to wait any longer.