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As South Africa enters a second wave of Covid-19 infections, the South African Beer Association (BASA) says it will continue to implement extensive interventions to further limit the spread of the virus in the country.
The association, whose members include the South African Craft Brewers Association, Heineken SA and South African Breweries (SAB), said these interventions will ensure that trade and alcohol consumption continue under the strictest security conditions during the holiday season.
Some of the interventions include:
- BASA members have provided training and guidelines to media across the country, including the distribution of 50,000 educational posters in stores;
- Members have also visited companies across the country to make sure they comply. These supervisory visits will continue throughout the holiday season;
- The beer industry will maintain its zero tolerance approach towards companies that do not comply with the requirements by cutting off supply to those points of sale and establishments whose licenses have been revoked by the provincial authorities of alcoholic beverages;
- South African Breweries has contributed R15 million to the South African Solidarity Fund. Brewers have also donated PPE for hospitals and frontline healthcare workers and will continue these donations to provincial health departments during the holiday season.
“Preventing a further spread of Covid-19 should be the first priority, so we call on all establishments and liquor establishments to continue to play their role in enforcing the use of masks and social distancing in their establishments” said the association.
“We also ask consumers to drink in moderation and continue to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from Covid-19 while enjoying their vacation.
“This includes wearing their masks, continually disinfecting their hands, and avoiding large social gatherings. Finally, we urge all South Africans not to drink and drive. “
The association said this is the only way the country will be able to avoid another lockdown, protect lives during the second wave and safeguard the economy and jobs.
Harmed industry
“While it is imperative that we do everything we can to stop the spread of Covid-19 during the upcoming holiday period, it is also critical that we protect the nearly 415,000 jobs that depend on the brewing industry, as well as the 1 million livelihoods. that are supported throughout the alcohol value chain, ”said the association.
It added that previous alcohol bans and prolonged restrictions on the alcohol trade resulted in the loss of some 7,400 jobs, a loss of sales revenue of R14.2 billion and a loss of more than R7.4 billion in taxes and excise duties in the beer industry.
The craft brewery sector was hit particularly hard, with 30% of breweries closing their doors and those that managed to stay open were forced to reduce staff, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs.
“Those companies that managed to survive simply cannot afford another ban or more trade restrictions.
“Therefore, it is critical that we all do our part to flatten the curve and avoid overwhelming our health services during the holiday season.”
Read: Medical Expert Warns of Rising Number of Hospitals Ahead of Ramaphosa’s Covid-19 Speech
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