Businesses face tough fight for survival
ALTHOUGH granted permission to reopen their doors under lockdown Level 3 last week, Zululand restaurant and beauty salon owners say they face huge challenges to recover and resuscitate their ailing businesses after the financial devastation caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Following the easing of restrictions relating to sit-down meals in restaurants, hairdressers, cinemas and casinos, among others, business owners are breathing a sigh of relief, but still fear the irreparable damage and consequences caused by the extended closure.
Neighbourhood Shisanyama owner Siphelele Mbuyazi said it could take months before her business returns to normal.
‘Even though we were allowed to open for takeaway deliveries prior to last week’s announcement, our cash flow has been extremely low and this is likely to continue for at least the next six months.
‘If the new regulations further impose restrictions on the number of customers allowed on the premises, then it will take even longer to recover,’ Mbuyazi said.
Sunisa Mikho, who owns a beauty spa and massage parlour in Richards Bay, said although relieved her business can now reopen, they will have to restructure to survive.
‘The spa has been closed for the past three months, but we still had to pay rent while generating no income.
‘Even when we do open, we cannot guarantee jobs because we won’t be able to afford bringing back all our employees.
‘We have, however, been a bit lucky as a family because we also own a restaurant at the Tuzi Gazi Waterfront which has provided some financial relief, but it has not even generated a quarter of the profits we earned before the lockdown,’ said Mikho.
Businesses that have been allowed to resume operations under the updated regulations will, however, do so under stringent safety measures which must be in place before they reopen.
‘For the hair and beauty industry, implementing these measures will bring about a big change because we now have to be more structured as opposed to the previous, more social nature of our business.
‘But we are extremely excited and nervous at the same time as we have to follow all safety protocols before and during operations,’ said Salon Pamela owner, Chantelle Carstens.
She said she has begun preparing her salon for the reopening as they await full details of the new regulations.
‘We have conducted safety protocol training for our hairdressers and have been disinfecting facilities and equipment.
The floor is also being marked to ensure social distancing is adhered to,’ she said.