Questions raised over South Africa’s new alcohol restrictions
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The Western Cape provincial government and a number of business groups have raised questions around South Africa’s new lockdown restrictions around alcohol.
In a national address on Monday evening (14 December), president Cyril Ramaphosa announced the new measures as a means of curbing the country’s Covid-19 cases over the festive season.
The new restrictions state that the sale of alcohol will only be permitted from 10h00 – 18h00 from Monday to Thursday at retail outlets. Wine farms can remain open and sell alcohol for off-site consumption as per their licence hours on some days.
Molefe Seeletsa BASA CEO Patricia Pillay reiterated the alcohol industry could not afford a total ban, warning government of the dire economic impact due to likely job losses in the industry. Cocktails. Photo: iStock
Cape Town band GoodLuck has offered an apology after footage of them allegedly performing to 155 people, dancing without masks at an unspecified La Parada restaurant on Sunday.
“Since then a video has been circulating of an unmasked crowd dancing to our music with Jules singing on a table, and we would like to unreservedly apologise for how it looked and the part that we had to play in that situation,” the band said on Facebook.
Molefe Seeletsa The industry has reiterated that it cannot afford a total ban on liquor sales, warning government of the dire economic impact due to likely job losses. Customers shopping for liquor on 18 August 2020. Picture: Michel Bega
During a press conference on Monday morning, Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) chief executive officer (CEO) Patricia Pillay said while the alcohol industry remained unsure whether alcohol would be banned again, it intends to ensure that alcohol is sold and consumed under the strictest safety conditions as the country experiences a second wave of Covid-19 infections.
Pillay reiterated that the alcohol industry could not afford a total ban, warning government of the dire economic impact due to likely job losses in the industry.
Beer industry to deploy patrollers to enforce compliance with COVID-19 rules This was also being done to ensure patrons wear masks, social distance, and feel safe when visiting taverns, bars, and more. FILE: Two men enjoy some beers at a streetside bar in the city centre in Cape Town, on 18 August 2020 after South Africa moved to level 2 of the coronvirus lockdown. Picture: AFP
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CAPE TOWN - The beer industry on Monday said that 500 patrollers were being deployed across the country to ensure COVID-19 compliance was in place at liquor outlets.
This was also being done to ensure that patrons wore masks, social distanced, and felt safe when visiting taverns, bars, and more.
Covid-19: SA alcohol industry withdraws brand support for festive season events, urges compliance news24.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from news24.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.