South Africa to lift ban on selling alcohol and tobacco under strict conditions


Devdiscourse News Desk | Cape Town | Updated: 26-05-2020 16:56 IST | Created: 26-05-2020 16:56 IST
South Africa to lift ban on selling alcohol and tobacco under strict conditions
Representative image Image Credit: Twitter(@SAgovnews)
  • Country:
  • South Africa

President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa has said on Sunday that retailers will be able to sell alcohol only under strict conditions on specified days and for limited hours, according to a news report 'thedrinksbusiness'.

It comes as South Africa begins to emerge from a three-month coronavirus lockdown, that included a ban on alcohol and tobacco sales as millions of people were forced to stay indoors aside from essential trips.

The ban came into effect on March 27 and was put in place to prevent a rise in domestic violence and ease pressure on hospitals, just as they were making room to treat thousands of patients infected with COVID-19.

Ramaphosa has said that the country will enter level three of its five-level approach to easing lockdown measures from June 1. A nighttime curfew is also to be lifted, with people soon able to exercise at any time of day.

However, businesses that create a greater risk of spreading the virus, such as bars and restaurants, will remain closed for the time being.

South Africa’s drinks industry has been in turmoil for months, with wineries unable to make or sell products, even overseas.

Wine exports were banned on April 26. This was then lifted on April 7, only to be reinstated on April 16. Finally, the restrictions were eased on May 1 as South Africa slowly eased out of its lockdown.

"Wines of South Africa previously released an estimate that a five-week ban on exports could result in a direct export revenue loss of over R1 billion (£44 million, FOB value). It warned that the damage to reputation and consistent supply as well as future market opportunities could in fact be astronomical in the long term with the loss of listings for many South African wines within the retail environment. "Cyril Ramaphosa said.

"The sale of tobacco products will remain prohibited in alert level 3 due to the health risks associated with smoking," Ramaphosa added.

So far, 22,583 people have been infected, killing 429 people in the country.

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