Back to business for restaurants, cinemas, theatres, casinos and others

Following new amendments, employers who operate restaurants, cinemas, theatres, casinos, museums, galleries, libraries, archives and conference centres, as well as personal care services (such as hairdressers and tattoo parlours) may open again. Certain sporting (contact and non-contact) activities are also permitted to resume.

Importantly, specific health and safety protocols and social distancing measures must be strictly followed to minimise Covid-19 exposure of employees and customers. Protocols were published for personal care services last week.

Protocols for the other employers listed above are still yet to be published. Until such time as these are published, these employers should not reopen their businesses.

The amendments introduce some broad restrictions on certain employers in terms of how they can operate their businesses. In summary:

► Cinemas can operate with 50 people (or less) and tickets must be sold through a “booking system”.

► Theatres can operate with 50 people (or less). Performers and crew are limited to a maximum of 15 people (including live streaming or recording for distribution on digital platforms – where there is no live audience in attendance at a venue).

► Casinos must restrict the number of people allowed in the casino to not more than 50% of the available floor space. Patrons are also required to maintain a social distance of at least 1.5m from each other.

► Conference centres can hold meetings for business purposes only with up to 50 people in attendance (excluding attendance or participation through online platforms).

The amendments provide that gyms and fitness centres remain closed. Government direction with regards to regulation will come from Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

Mthethwa’s directions will also allow for the reopening of museums, galleries, libraries and archives, subject to strict adherence to health protocols.

“These places must apply to the minister within 14 days after the publication of the directions and will be approved, subject to compliance with protocols, which will be published in the minister’s directions in the next few days,” the ministry said this week.

“As passionate as we are about the advancement of the art and culture sector, we are equally as committed to ensuring that lives come first,” Mthethwa said.

The department will deploy officials to monitor compliance with the directions, and these officials will be given special identity documents.