Alcohol industry pleaded with President Ramaphosa to not restrict sales
Unfortunately, the sale of alcohol has been restricted for the next 14 days, among other restrictions in line with Alert Level 4.
With the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreading like wildfire, the President has decided to move the country to adjusted Alert Level 4 of the Lockdown. This decision was received differently by different people as certain industries will see a closure for the next 14 days. The same is applicable in the alcohol industry.
In a tweet talking about the effects that an alcohol ban will have on their industry and the economy at large, before the President's address, South African Breweries pleaded with him to keep them open.
READ MORE: WHO plans to ban women of "child-bearing age" from drinking alcohol
The alcohol industry cannot afford another ban - the last three bans have had a devastating impact on the entire value chain. We urge government to work in partnership with business and other sectors to speed up the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to protect lives & livelihoods.
— SABreweries (@SABreweries) June 27, 2021
We cannot deny that large social events where alcohol consumption is the main entertainment are super-spreader events. People are just annoyed that the alcohol ban will not necessarily solve the real problems that the government should have anticipated a week ago.
READ MORE: Liam Payne on alcohol and drug abuse: “It was really, really, really severe”
There are hopes for adjustment as they plan to have another meeting regarding this restriction:
The association along with its value chain has requested consultation & shared proposals to be considered by government and does not believe a ban is a reasonable approach as it will drive illicit and criminal activity that is crippling our economy. (2/2)https://t.co/dUVthVcVnr
— SABreweries (@SABreweries) June 27, 2021
Our Sky Tshabalala will then have it easier this week in terms of making it to July without a cold one. If you don't know, read about Sky's 30-day alcohol break this June here.
Main Image Courtesy: iStock