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- The lifting of the ban on the sale of alcohol is on the table.
- The NCCC, Nedlac and PCC held meetings, where the issue was on the agenda.
- However, lifting the ban would first have to be approved by the Cabinet.
The lifting of the ban on the sale of alcohol has been raised at various government meetings last week.
The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) met on Wednesday.
On Saturday, at a meeting of Nedlac, which brings together the government, companies and workers, there was a discussion about the prohibition of alcohol and that there must be a resolution on it, considering the financial impact of the prohibition.
Nedlac cannot make up his mind on this.
Then, on Sunday, the Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) met.
News24 understands that Health Minister Zweli Mkhize’s presentation at this meeting indicated that the infection rate is slowing down.
Subsequently, the relaxation of some regulations was discussed, including the lifting of the prohibition of alcohol.
A change in the regulations must first be approved by the Cabinet.
The cabinet will meet on Wednesday. Their previous meeting was on January 19, and the Cabinet generally meets every second Wednesday.
Police Minister Bheki Cele says South Africans “overreact” their alcohol consumption, and that this is just one reason he is enforcing the tight Level 3 drinking ban so strictly.
– News24 (@ News24) January 31, 2021
The Presidency still has its cards close to its chest as to when President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation again.
“The Presidency will make the necessary announcements when the president addresses the nation,” said Acting Ramaphosa spokesman Tyrone Seale.
News24 understands that the discussion is about lifting the ban on alcohol by February 15th.
The state of disaster should be extended on February 15.
The ban was implemented to ease pressure on South Africa’s health services when a second wave of infections engulfed the country late last year.
READ | Alcohol thirst is fueling illicit R13bn trade, liquor industry says
“Health services in various parts of the country reported that the ban on the sale of alcohol had significantly reduced the number of trauma cases seen in our hospitals during the New Year period,” Ramaphosa said in his last national address on 11 May. January, when he announced that the prohibition of alcohol would remain.
However, there has also been a significant economic impact, with the liquor and hospitality industry complaining that the ban has been dire.
South African Breweries (SAB) has canceled investments worth 5 billion rand in the country since the ban was instituted and recently suspended the contracts of 550 temporary workers indefinitely.
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