South Africa is currently in its third wave of COVID and has been in adjusted level-4 lockdown since 27 June when the president announced that the new restrictions were necessary to curb the high number of new infections.

For 14 days restaurants were forced to close for sit-down dining and were not allowed to sell alcohol. Industry bodies such as the Restaurant Association of South Africa and The Restaurant Collective dissented the decisions made by the government, saying that the survival of the industry is incumbent on sit-down trade. 

On Sunday 11 July the hospitality industry breathed a collective sigh of relief when further adjustments were made permitting restaurants to serve sit-down guests. However, the extended alcohol ban has had serious implications for those whose livelihoods rely on the liquor trade. 

On 25 July the president once again addressed the country with further news on lockdown restrictions. This time, he declared that the country would be moving to adjusted alert level 3.

Here are what the new restrictions mean for restaurants:

• The hours of curfew will be from 10pm to 4am.
• On-site alcohol sales will be permitted up to 8pm under licence conditions.

The president also announced that those between the ages of 18 and 34 years will be able to be vaccinated from 1 September 2021.