Areas where a surge in covid-19 is experienced will face adverse lockdown restrictions, a 22:00 curfew will be implied on those places.
The list of the areas were alcohol restrictions would take place isn’t yet completed and/or confirmed but we are currently aware that Western Cape and Eastern Cape will face this curfew.
According to experts, the implementation of strict alcohol restrictions may be too late as the damage had already been done.
The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) agreed a 22:00 /12pm curfew be implanted in hotspot areas across the country, restrictions be placed on the sale of alcohol, including trading times.
Hotspot areas will soon see a 22:00 to 04:00 curfew with taverns and sharpens or pubs operating until 21:00, alcohol sale on Monday to Thursday.
The South African Alcohol Policy Alliance (Saapa SA) called on government to urgently put in place, alcohol restrictions ahead of yhr festive season due to the recent rampid increase in covid-19 infections. The director thereof, Maurice Smith era pointed out that the ability to obey covid-19 protocols becomes significantly diminished when people are drunk.
During a virtual press on Wednesday, the director of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Unit under the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Professor Charles Parry said it might be too late for the implementation thereof as serious damage had already been done.
“It is certainly a move in the right direction. but it is probably a bit late in certain parts of the country like Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. They should probably be looking at the a 6pm curfew there. Obviously part of it will depend on the policing, but I hope it is not too late and too little,” said Prof Parry.
NCCC recommends that there should be limitation in public gatherings in these hotspot areas, people indoors should be but not exceeding 100 in numbers whereas outside is 250, this is applicable to religious events.
NCCC went ahead to touch the happenings at or after the funeral, saying ‘after tears’ events should be banned in hotspot areas.
