Booze sector warns against another harsh lockdown over the festive season

The associations welcomed the move back to adjusted level 2 as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday evening.

Under level 2, the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption will be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Friday, while on-site consumption will be permitted up to 10pm.

But National Liquor Traders convener Lucky Ntimane says Ramaphosa missed an opportunity to set the country on a path to economic recovery.

“The National Liquor Traders is relieved that the rate of Covid-19 infections has declined. However, the experts say a fourth wave is almost inevitable and this means the pace of vaccinations has to increase.

“We cannot afford another round of harsh restrictions and bans on alcohol. We call on everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible and help put this pandemic behind us.

“We however feel that given the economic conditions of the country the President might have missed a perfect opportunity to move the country back to level 1 and set us on a much quicker way to economic recovery,” says Ntimane.

BASA CEO Patricia Pillay says another lockdown will be the end of any recovery by the sector.

“The further easing of restrictions will provide some reprieve to those businesses that have survived the four alcohol bans.

“However, with a Covid-19 fourth wave expected to hit at the beginning of December, any recovery seen in the sector will be eradicated should another ban be enforced by the government over the festive season.

“With this period also being the busiest time for liquor outlets and establishments, another alcohol ban will no doubt be the final nail in the coffin for thousands of businesses and the jobs they support.”

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