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The country’s liquor traders are nervous and have pledged their support for the government’s effort to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, amid fears of another ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages.
In a statement issued early Sunday morning, the Liquor Merchant Formations said they are committed to fighting the virus and warning against another industry shutdown, as seen in levels five and four of the National Coronavirus shutdown to early this year.
They say they have been led to believe that the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) would sit down on Sunday to consider various interventions, following several days of record spikes in infections across the country.
The NCCC will purportedly discuss the proposed interventions related to meetings, interprovincial travel, curfew, alcohol sales, and international travel.
Formations of liquor merchants appear to be anticipating any conversation about another liquor shutdown with their statement, in which they plead with the government to “be allowed to continue the sale of alcohol outside the facilities as the country
sail the second wave ”.
They also warn that another total closure of the liquor trade would be the death of the tavern market, “and the 250,000
direct jobs linked to the sector ”, while requesting that the industry be consulted before deciding on any restriction.
“Liquor merchant formations express their unwavering commitment to support the
efforts in the fight against Covid-19 and the second wave of the pandemic that has taken hold
the last weeks ”, says the statement of Lucky Ntimane, the coordinator of the formations.
“Our commitment to support has been fulfilled with actions by embarking on a high-impact program in our communities to change the behavior and attitudes of our customers, consumers and the communities in general towards compliance with Covid-19 regulations.
“We call on our government to continue working with the alcohol industry to find mutual solutions.
benefit from how to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in a way that can safeguard the million livelihoods that depend on the alcohol industry. “
The industry said it does not believe that another liquor trade ban has any benefit in stopping the rise of the virus and instead suggested the following options:
- A measured curfew that restricts unnecessary movements of the general public, while balancing the interests of the tourism sector, which depends on the availability of alcohol;
- Alcohol restrictions, if any, should provide for off-site sales to allow home consumption and provide special dispensing for taverns to function as off-premises outlets with restricted hours
Ntimane said: “As liquor dealers, we have noted with disappointment the lack of compliance with control measures by some who have behaved in a way that is not appropriate for the South African patriots. They have not heard a call from the president to behave in a way that helps the country fight the second wave of the pandemic. “
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