Liquor Association: Government is losing alcohol tax which could be spent on vaccines
The South African Liquor Brandowners
Association wants government to justify why the alcohol ban remains in place
despite the declining COVID-19 infections in the country.
The latest restrictions on the trade of liquor were imposed nearly a month ago as part of a Level 3 lockdown.
Government said it was to alleviate the pressure on hospitals so they can have enough beds for COVID-19 patients as the second wave intensified.
In the last 24 hours, over 4 500 confirmed cases were recorded, nearly half of the infections reported in the previous 24-hour period.
The liquor brand association's Sibani Mngadi says with the current downward trend, government must review the ban.
We cannot continue on this path of a lose lose situation where the industry is losing millions in revenue and workers in the sector are losing their job and,” Mngadi said
“On the other hand, government is losing much needed tax contribution which can be used for the procurement of vaccines and other measure to curb the impact of the pandemic on our society,” he added.
The Restaurant Association of South Africa has also been putting pressure on authorities.
CEO, Wendy Alberts, returned to the Union Buildings today calling on the President to lift the alcohol ban.
Alberts has been staging a sit-in at the seat of government since yesterday.
Alberts says about 4000 restaurants out of 11000 establishments nationally have already closed shop.
She says she'll keep coming back every day until the Presidency agree to meet with her.
“We have done everything we possibly to reach out to government to com assist in saving the restaurant industry. We are now calling on everyone in South Africa to come out and support. We hope we can encourage everyone to come out and show how loved the industry is in South Africa,” Alberts said.
