Booze on sale again, gathering restrictions eased as SA moves to level 3

Restaurants and eateries are among businesses that will breathe a sigh of relief from Monday, albeit under strict regulations, after weeks of tight restrictions.

Ramaphosa made a national address from the Union Buildings on Sunday evening, where he announced that the decision was taken after getting the green light from Cabinet and the National Coronavirus Command Council.

This follows a decrease in Covid infections in some parts of the country with the average number of daily new infections over the last week at 12,000

This is a 20% drop from the previous week. 

The number of new infections in Gauteng have been steadily on the decline but infections in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal continue to rise. 

Ramaphosa told the nation that the overall decline in new infections means that it is possible to gradually ease some of the restrictions on gatherings, movement and the sale of alcohol. 

Restaurants will soon be serving booze to customers again. 

“This means that the hours of curfew will stay the same, starting at 10pm and end at 4am, interprovincial travel for leisure may resume, non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars and fitness centres may be opened,” said Ramaphosa.

“Gatherings will be allowed but will be limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. 

“Gatherings include religious services, political events and social gatherings. The limits on venue capacity also apply to restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, bars, taverns and similar places,” Ramaphosa added.

The off-site sale of alcohol will be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday, while the on-site sale will be permitted up to 8pm. 

Ramaphosa announced further relief for the liquor industry. 

“The payment of excise taxes by the alcohol sector will be deferred for a period of three months, to ease the burden on the sector as it recovers,” he said following a rough spell for the sector. 

“These interventions are designed to extend as much relief as possible to individuals and businesses that are in need of support, without compromising our fiscal sustainability. 

“No country can expect its economy to grow, or to live in peace and harmony, while many of its citizens remain marginalised, hungry and excluded.”

Schools are also set to reopen on Monday. 

The new regulations are expected to take effect when Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma signs off on the government gazette.