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Stakeholders in the spirits industry have warned of the harmful effects of a fourth alcohol ban in South Africa, after closures and bans devastated the sector over the past year.
The warning comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet will meet to discuss the possible introduction of a higher level of lockdown during the Easter weekend period.
Liquor merchant training coordinator Lucky Ntimane said the coronavirus national command council is expected to discuss a possible alcohol ban.
“We do not believe that a total ban on the sale of alcohol is a short-term or long-term solution,” the group said.
“A complete closure of the sale of liquors would mean the end of the tavern market and the 250,000 direct jobs linked to the sector,” he said.
He added that any curfew measures and alcohol restrictions, if introduced, should allow off-site sales to allow for consumption at home.
This has been echoed by the executive director of the South African Association of Liquor Brands, Kurt Moore, who said Working day that neither the industry nor the country could afford more restrictions.
“A fourth ban on the sale of alcohol will be devastating for an industry that was decimated by three bans and is just beginning its economic recovery.”
Super spreader events
On Wednesday, Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize said that government officials are currently discussing the decision to move South Africa to a higher level of lockdown.
Mkhize said decisions will be based on recommendations from epidemiology experts, as well as companies and members of the civil sector.
He said there have been recommendations to introduce a stricter lockdown as part of an evidence-based consultation process.
However, he noted that the government has also received a request from the religious sector to allow more church attendance during the Easter weekend.
“This is a sensitive period where there is vulnerability and the possibility of risk that we may have a super broadcast event, with all the festivities and activities that accompany the long weekend of Easter.
“So the warning was for a temporary increase in restrictions during this time period,” he said.
He added that the government must take into account that we must discourage super-spread events during the Easter weekend, we must prevent interprovincial movement that could lead to the spread of the virus.
However, he noted that South Africans have largely learned their lessons over the past year on issues such as wearing masks and social distancing, indicating that the government may not have to be too strict with the shutdown.
Read: Advisory committee calls for tougher lockdown over Easter weekend in South Africa
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