It is of the utmost importance that the temporary relief scheme (TERS) of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) must be re-instituted for the duration of the adjusted Level Four lockdown regulations, particularly for those businesses and industries that may not operate or trade in that period.
The FF Plus sent an official request in this regard to the Minister of Job Creation and Labour, Mr Thulas Nxedi, making special reference to the plight of businesses, like restaurants, the alcohol industry, gymnasiums and others whose income is affected by the latest lockdown regulations.
The initial lockdown period is only 14 days, but these businesses and all the people whose livelihoods depend on them simply do not have any more financial reserves to be able to afford the loss of income. There is also always the possibly that the lockdown period could be extended.
The concession made by the government by allowing restaurants to sell takeaway meals does not mean much. Most restaurants are entirely dependent on sit-down customers and the full workforce cannot be retained and paid without a steady stream of revenue.
The reality is that many people will have no income and will, therefore, be unable to provide for their families.
We have reached a point where it is justified to ask how much of this pain and suffering, and even the loss of lives, could have been prevented if the government had not failed in its general preparation for the pandemic and the vaccination programme thus far.