Maps Maponyane forced to close Buns Out 'indefinitely' due to coronavirus

As the country prepares for a 21-day lockdown in a bid to help curb the spread of Covid-19, media personality Maps Maponyane has taken the tough decision to close down his Buns Out restaurant "indefinitely".  

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the national lockdown on Monday night as a desperate measure to prevent loss of lives due to Covid-19. The lockdown starts from midnight on Thursday.  

Taking to Twitter, Maps said he had to close his new fast food joint due to this “indefinite” time.

He said although he tried all he could to keep his staff employed, closing the burger joint was the right thing to do as nobody knows how long crisis mode will continue in the country.

“After trying to stretch out any kind of production, including deliveries, to keep our staff employed and customers happy, we've decided to indefinitely close Buns Out.

“We don't know how long it will be or if we'll survive this period, but it's the right thing to do."

After a short while in business, opening the Johannesburg restaurant last September and a pop-up joint in Durban, Maps explained how tough it was trying to run a small business during the pandemic.

He said he was also adhering to the president's call for South Africans to stay at home.

“It's tough as a new small business, but at the end of the day we need to keep everyone safe, and staying operating in any kind of way would completely go against this. Wash your hands often, stay safe and if in any way possible, stay home. Please be considerate and take care of each other.”

Though the country will be on total lockdown for 21 days and many citizens hit panic mode, Maps said: “21 days isn't pap 'n vleis. May the odds be forever in your favour.”