[ad_1]
Liquor merchants in the Eastern Cape are said to be breaking the closing rules.
- The Eastern Cape Liquor Board has condemned liquor dealers who ignore Covid-19 trading conditions and health protocols.
- The board will make visits to liquor establishments to repress those who do not comply with the regulations.
- Strict measures are being taken to ensure that such behavior is not repeated, in the event that liquor outlets are found to be in breach of regulations.
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) has condemned liquor dealers who are ignorant of Covid-19 business conditions and health protocols in the province.
The board has raised concerns about instances of non-compliance by liquor outlets as the Eastern Cape province grapples with the rapid resurgence of Covid-19 cases.
“As a result, liquor outlets are characterized as Covid-19 super spreaders [infections] in our province, “the board said Monday.
ECLB Executive Director Dr. Nombuyiselo Makala said: “It is extremely concerning that our people have become so complacent and are behaving as if Covid-19 does not exist at all.”
FULL SPEECH | Ramaphosa declares Nelson Mandela Bay a Covid-19 hotspot
According to the board, they have observed, with great concern, that customers who frequent liquor stores are completely ignorant of Covid 19 health protocols.
They found that they often don’t wear masks and don’t observe social distancing.
“Several liquor stores allow overcrowding in their establishments, which invariably undermines social distancing.”
Trading times
Other liquor outlets reportedly ignore business hours and trade outside of regulated business hours.
News24 previously reported that around 80 trained community patrols will be dispatched to eight Eastern Cape police stations in an attempt to monitor compliance.
READ | Covid-19: Alcohol Industry to Deploy Patrol Cars in Eastern Cape in Attempt to Curb the Spread of the Virus
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro accounts for more than 50% of the nation’s most recent daily infections.
Makala said preventing the spread of Covid 19 is everyone’s responsibility, including customers visiting liquor outlets.
“It cannot be left to the discretion of liquor dealers,” he added.
In response to the increasingly unsustainable situation at many liquor outlets, the ECLB is stepping up its efforts to enforce Covid 19 restrictions and liquor licensing.
Periodic visits will be made to liquor points of sale to repress those who do not comply with the regulations.
“In the event that liquor stores are found to be in breach of regulations, strict measures are taken to ensure that such behavior is not repeated.
The public is urged to report any case of non-compliance to the nearest police station or to the toll-free ECLB hotline 0800 000 420 or WhatsApp 076 403 6223.
