‘No alcohol ban’

A week after the prohibition on liquor sales was lifted, Georgians have been rushing to liquor stores again following rumours that Government is planning on enforcing a ban once more in response to a rise in alcoholrelated incidents and road accidents.

Fernando Gomes, Mini Pick n Pay co-owner, said on Monday he won't have brandy left by today if the rumour is true and people keep on buying at such a rate. "We limit individual customers on their purchases, but some bring their family members to buy too. The Liquor Board and my suppliers have told me the rumours are not true," said Gomes. "If it is being planned, I'm sure they will give us some lead time and will not just stop sales abruptly."

Ultra Liquors also confirmed that they had not received any notification of an intention to reinstate a ban. Phumla Williams, deputy director-general of the Government Communication and Information System, told George Herald that at this stage there are "definitely" no plans to enforce a liquor sales ban again. "I'm not aware of anything. Someone must be spreading the rumours."

Francine Higham, spokesperson for the Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, also confirmed that they have received no notification of an intended ban from national government.

The Eastern Cape government, for one, wants the ban on alcohol sales reinstated. On Tuesday EC Premier Oscar Mabuyane said in stark contrast to the low crime stats in the province under level 4, there were 94 murders as well as 77 rapes between 1 and 7 June.

Photo: Alida de Beer On Monday last week, the first day that liquor trade was allowed since lockdown began at the end of March, people flocked to stores. Rumours that a ban is to be reinstated seem to have been untrue.