The DA has requested the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality give businesses battling to survive the Covid-19 epidemic a rates and refuse payment holiday, along with a waiver on water and sewage charges.

In a written joint statement from DA councillors Renaldo Gouws and Malcolm Figg, the party also requested that the municipality freeze rental payments for businesses leasing land from the city.

“Now more than ever the municipality needs to assist where we can, to ensure that our economy survives this turbulent time,” the statement reads.

Stringent measures have been put in place by the government, which includes alcohol not being sold between 6pm and 9am on weekdays and Saturdays and after 1pm on Sundays and public holidays. Establishments may not accommodate more than 50 people at a time.

This has already led to a number of outlets in the city to temporarily closed their doors.

“Businesses are the hardest hit and the latest restraint on trade for restaurants, pubs and clubs could potentially have a massive negative economic impact not only on these businesses, but also on the people they employ and the metro at large.”