The MEC for Agriculture Ivan Meyer has welcomed the announcement by the National Government that it has now amended a regulation which would have prevented wine tastings on Sundays.

The regulations initially limited wine tastings and sale of wine for off-site consumption at wine farms between Monday and Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00.

This new amendment removes this limitation which Meyer says 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.”