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- Liquor merchants have been warned that they may lose their licenses if they find themselves trading during the new Level 3 regulations.
- Under the new Level 3 lockdown, the sale of alcohol is prohibited.
- The new regulations were in response to the increase in Covid-19 infections.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Ravi Pillay, has warned that liquor dealers may lose their liquor licenses if they find themselves trading during the newly adjusted Level 3 lockdown.
Earlier this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would return to lockdown level 3 with a series of tight regulations.
Among the regulations was the reintroduction of the alcohol ban, for the third time since the shutdown was first enforced in March.
Along with the ban on the sale of alcohol, nightclubs, bars, shebeens and taverns have also been closed.
New level 3 lockout regulations
- The sale, dispensing and distribution of liquor for consumption both on site and off site is prohibited;
- The consumption of liquor in public places is prohibited;
- The tasting and sale of liquor to the public by registered wineries and wine estates and other similar establishments registered as micro-manufacturers is prohibited; and
- The transport of liquor for the purpose of sale to the public and / or distribution to retailers or micro-manufacturers is also prohibited.
Pillay warned that liquor dealers will lose their operating licenses in addition to being criminally charged under the regulations of the Disaster Management Act.
“Through the KwaZulu-Natal Liquor Authority (KZNLA), which is responsible for regulating the liquor trade environment in the province, we have issued a public notice to all merchants in the province,” said Pillay.
“In that notice we clearly state that the KZNLA plans to revoke the licenses of those merchants who contravene Disaster Management [Act] regulations due to the severity of the second wave of Covid-19 and the concomitant risk of exposure from such conduct.
READ | New Covid-19 Regulations: Several Arrested for Selling Liquor After Ramaphosa Announced New Laws
“In addition, people found illegally dealing in liquor will also be entered into a database so that their actions can be taken into consideration when they submit applications for commercial licenses in the future.”
Pillay added that the KZNLA has issued suspensions in the recent past ranging from one to three months to merchants found to be acting in violation of the Disaster Management Act.
“This has now been revised in light of the impact of the resurgence of Covid-19 infections.”
Pillay’s comments follow reports that liquor dealers continued to operate despite new regulations published Tuesday.
“The main objective of these regulations is to save lives by controlling the spread of infections. Any non-compliance amounts to putting lives in danger. That is something we cannot afford at a time when infections are increasing at such an alarming rate. We urge the liquor dealers and that all members of the public are responsible and do the right thing by adhering to all regulations. “
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