Businesses send lockdown warning ahead of third Covid-19 wave in South Africa
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South African businesses say they are better prepared for a new wave of Covid-19 infections compared to a year ago, but need government ‘to come to the party’ should further lockdown restrictions be introduced.
If government goes this route, evidence must remain the key guide to interventions, said Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA).
The group said that government cannot approach the pandemic and restrictions today with the same intensity as it had in the past, as new evidence has emerged and circumstances have changed – warning that the consequences for businesses, employees, and the wider economy could be severe.
He said tavern owners and shebeen permit holders had taken “a beating” from the three bans on alcohol “and we’re doing everything in our power to help prevent a third wave of Covid-19”.
“Many people are tired of the Covid-19 restrictions and want to go back to ‘normal’ life, but we can’t let our guard down now. This is a lot like the period just before the second wave, when complacency set in, with fatal consequences,” said Ntimane.
“It would be a tragedy if we allowed a third wave to take hold as a result of complacency, just as an accelerated vaccination programme seems within reach.
The National Liquor Traders Council said it had been working with the liquor industry to drive maximum compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols among taverns and their patrons.
A general view of liquor for sale on December 03, 2020 in Durbanville, South Africa. It was reported the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) has recommended the restriction of alcohol sales amid fears of a second COVID-19 surge . Picture: Gallo Images/Jacques Stander
The alcohol industry has released a statistical analysis to support their argument that the reduction of trauma admissions during the Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown could not be primarily attributed to the banning of alcohol.
The analysis sought to draw attention to other factors, including curfew, which has been mainly cited, to be considered and not for the focus to be on alcohol, saying it was not the only thing on which restrictive measures were imposed during the lockdown.
New research highlights major flaws in South Africa’s lockdown alcohol bans
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The liquor industry says that the South African government will have to change its approach and consider new data before choosing to implement future alcohol bans.
In a statement on Thursday (8 April) the South African Liquor Brand owners Association (Salba) cited a new report which showed that, while trauma cases in South Africa declined during lockdown, the difference was minimal compared to countries that did not introduce a ban on alcohol.
The report was led by independent data expert Ian McGorian of Silver Fox Consulting, in collaboration with professor Mike Murray from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and financial support from Distell.