The restaurant industry, amongst others, may see business ‘shrink’ if the government is able to force through its amendments to our alcohol laws.
A proposed new law aimed at tackling alcohol consumption in South Africa has been branded as ‘madness’ by representatives in the tourism industry, who fear that the hospitality sector would suffer once certain changes are made. It’s been stated that restaurants and hotels would be the most vulnerable to these amendments.
WHAT CHANGES COULD BE MADE TO OUR ALCOHOL LAWS?
Last week, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula told the media that his department would look to amend current drink-driving guidelines, bringing in a ‘zero tolerance’ rule for drivers. Mbaks has suggested that the government would set a blood-alcohol figure that is ‘as close to 0% as possible’, meaning that having just a sip of booze could put an individual over the legal limit.
The proposal has been met with stern opposition – not least from AA South Africa. They rejected Mbalula’s plans, which the minister hopes to implement by December. Although there’s a strong push to rewrite this legislation before the festive season, the automotive experts say that a 0% limit ‘does nothing to deter those’ who already break the law.
RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ‘MOST LIKELY TO LOSE CUSTOM’
David Marsh is the founder of the Travel Industry Golf Club. He struck a very similar tone on Thursday after he told Tourism Update that the regulations would ‘shrink business’ for restaurants, hotels, and clubs. He argues that criminalising ‘one or two drinks’ is a surefire way to stop people from frequenting venues in the hospitality industry:
“This is about criminalising the people who don’t drive under the influence. People who comply with current limits are not causing accidents due to being under the influence of alcohol. The department has gone mad. This is not about supporting drunken driving. It is the opposite – why now focus on the people who comply with the limit?”
“The number of jobs that will be lost is going to be significant. Many people will either not attend an event because of the cost of getting there and back, or will not even have one drink. Either way, clubs, restaurants, hotels, meeting and wedding venues, and car hire can expect to shrink. Most people play golf each week because of the social drinking aspects.”
