Stay the Course to Keep Doors Open

Airports and borders have re-opened. Holiday bookings are starting to come in, and in-person conferences are once again being planned.

To the great relief of everyone in our industry – and all who benefit from it – Level 1 of government’s Risk-Adjusted Strategy is seeing a slow but encouraging return to both leisure and business tourism throughout our province.

But even as we welcome our guests and organise our events, it is critically important to remember that COVID-19 has proven a tenacious, resilient and buoyant enemy.

We quite simply cannot afford to let our guard down – even for a moment.

In fact, the health and safety protocols which have become our new normal over the past six months are more important than ever during this global pandemic.

Elsewhere in the world, including throughout Europe and the United States, a devastating second wave has forced pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses to shutter their doors once again, often just days or weeks after re-opening.

The lesson is clear: If we want our doors to stay open, and our industry to recover, we must stay the course by doubling down on our safety protocols.

South Africa has been averaging around 10,000 new infections per week for the past month. However, the South African Medical Association (Sama) warns that a second wave is not only possible, it is likely.

“People are now going to start to relax and that is when the trouble is going to start,” says Sama chairperson Dr Angelique Coetzee.

The National Department of Health agrees. While South Africa has not seen a significant increase in infections over the past week, no-one can afford to become complacent, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize stresses.

“COVID-19 is still with us, especially if we start forgetting about masks and social distancing. If we are not careful it can arise quickly … but we can still contain it if we all follow containment measures.”

Within the hospitality industry, product owners and managers need to be especially vigilant to mitigate against so-called COVID fatigue. Guests and visitors are not always going to show the same level of commitment to safety protocols as they did during the first four phase of lockdown. This will require venue and event managers to be especially diligent about enforcing the various protocols, including the wearing of masks, social distancing and health screenings.