The Restaurant Association of South Africa (Rasa) said that up to 70% of restaurants face imminent closure if the alcohol sales ban continued.
The government instituted the latest ban on 28 December to help hospitals cope with an influx of COVID-19 cases.
The association has been protesting in front of the Union Buildings this week, desperate to have the ban lifted.
Cape Town restaurant owner Matteo Santini said that he had lost 50% of his earnings since the alcohol sales ban was introduced last month.
The impact is now affecting his staff.
“Having less people coming to the restaurants of course, people working less hours or less shifts.”
The restaurant association’s Wendy Alberts said that thousands of jobs and livelihoods were at risk, as many businesses may have to close their doors permanently.
“Roundabout 20-odd percent wouldn’t get through the weekend. And a further 50% wouldn’t be able to trade past the month.”
Meanwhile, wine industry organization Vinpro has taken the government to court over the alcohol sales ban, with a hearing on 5 February.
-EWN
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