Liquor outlets warned to stick to trading hours
LIQUOR outlets have been warned that they may not trade outside the stipulated hours, following the lifting of the ban on the sale and transport of alcohol as from June 1 under the commencement of the Level 3 risk adjustment strategy.
The spokesperson for the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Ali Diteme, indicated that registered taverns would also be permitted to sell liquor on an off-consumption basis from Monday to Thursday between 9am and 5pm.
“Off-premises and on-premises consumption is allowed to trade from Monday to Thursday from 9am until 5pm but no sales will be permitted on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as public holidays,” said Diteme.
He stated that any outlet delivering liquor had to be in possession of a permit from the Northern Cape Liquor Board.
“All licensees are expected to follow the required health protocols during the trading hours. This includes deep-cleaning of all premises with bleach or any other disinfectant before opening and after trading. Social distancing requirements must be observed as allowed by the floor space of the licensed outlet to observe the distance of 1.5 metres between customers both inside and outside the licensed premises.”
Diteme warned that patrons were not allowed to drink on premises. “Liquor traders will have their licences temporarily suspended until the end of the lockdown, pending a formal hearing. The SAPS will confiscate all liquor on the premises in cases of non-compliance.”
He stated that only a certain number of customers would be allowed inside an outlet, depending on the size of the premises.
“All persons inside the premises must wear the prescribed masks covering their mouth and nose. Persons must be sanitised before entering the premises. Sanitising must also take place at cash and speed paypoints.”