SMMEs face many challenges in a changing business environment. Entrepreneurs and management are under constant pressure to build a competitive edge. The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented challenges worldwide, including operational and strategic upheavals for South African SMMEs, putting their workforce at risk. After 200 questionnaires were distributed and 70.5% were returned, data was analysed and found a link between the pandemic's economic impact and South African SMME business operations. Findings also stressed the importance of complex financial support systems and showed that different alert levels can manage business impact. This study's targeted analysis of academic and industrial implications is important. Providing insights during a global crisis enhances the University of Johannesburg Department of Quality and Operations Management's knowledge. Industrially, it provides empirical evidence to help South African SMMEs survive health crises-related economic challenges. Therefore, research findings within the broader spectrum of small enterprises were used to recommend future research. The data is heavily concentrated in Gauteng, which limits and may skew the study. Future researchers should include all South African provinces in their studies.