Minister Meyer welcomes sunday wine sales | Western Cape Government

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Minister Meyer welcomes sunday wine sales

18 December 2020

I welcome yesterday’s announcement by the National Government that it has amended R1346 in line with my request dated 16 December 2020.

My request followed the earlier publication of regulation R1346 of 15 December 2020, which limited wine tastings and sale of wine for off-site consumption to Mondays to Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00.

This new amendment removes this limitation which would have been detrimental to the wine tourism and agro-processing economy, which employs thousands of people in the Western Cape.

The decision by the National Government makes it now possible for the Wine Industry to focus on what matters now – the rebuilding of the wine tourism economy.

It is for this very reason that the Western Cape Department of Agriculture made a R12 million grant available for the establishment of the Wine Industry Tourism Worker Support Stipend.  

The stipend enables support to 1 333 wine tourism workers for three consecutive months – the peak tourism months of December 2020, and January and February 2021 – to mitigate projected job losses.

While the Western Cape Government is concerned about the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the country, it is critical that we get the balance right between saving lives and livelihoods.

Visiting a wine farm that is following careful health and safety protocols is an example of safe tourism behaviour during this difficult time. This is because it is primarily an outdoor activity with good ventilation, where social distancing is possible.

We encourage visitors to the Western Cape to visit our registered wineries and wine farms.

By doing so, you will be contributing to the economic recovery of the Wine Industry.

 

 

Media Enquiries: 

Daniel Johnson

Spokesperson for Minister Ivan Meyer

Tel: 079 990 4231

Email: Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za