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The sale of alcohol during the confinement has been the bone of contention and, despite the relaxation of regulations, the industry is still clinging to economic survival.
FILE: A closed Spar Tops store in the Spruitview shopping center in Vosloorus, Ekuerhuleni, on the eve of the lifting of the alcohol ban on August 17, 2020. Image: EWN.
JOHANNESBURG – Liquor dealers on Sunday urged the government not to impose a comprehensive ban on the sale of alcohol amid concerns of tougher COVID-19 restrictions.
READ ALSO: SA registers 11,552 new COVID-19 infections, 245 more related deaths
The sale of alcohol during the confinement has been the bone of contention, and despite relaxed regulations, the industry is still clinging to economic survival.
The liquor merchant formations called on the government to work with the sector to find mutually beneficial solutions on how to fight the pandemic and ultimately save jobs in the industry.
The group proposed, among other things, that off-site sales continue.
“We understand the situation the country is in and we are aware that the president and his government have difficult decisions to make in the coming days and as citizens of the country we will support government initiatives to confront COVID-19,” said the convenor of the Liquor Merchant Formations, Lucky Ntimane, in a statement.
“However, we believe that any decision affecting our industry should be discussed with us beforehand and our input should be considered before communicating any decision to the general public,” he added.
The second wave of infections is in full swing accompanied by strict lockdown restrictions imposed during the holiday season.
South Africa has seen a record increase in COVID-19 cases with more than 42,000 infections picked up in the last three days.
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The Health Department reported an increase of 11,552 new cases in the last 24-hour cycle, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 994,911.
The death toll increased by 245, bringing the total to 26,521 since the start of the national outbreak in March earlier this year.
The number of recoveries currently stands at 839,194.
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