Alcohol ban not on cards again – yet

A significant surge in Covid-19 cases in the Western and Eastern Cape of late has prompted fears of another ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol and a harsher curfew.

Rumours have gone so far as to conjure up fake news that a second alcohol ban would be reinstated from 15 December to 3 January.

Although the message has been debunked as fake news, the alcohol and hospitality sector have been left slightly shaky at the prospect of going through another challenging economic phase.

When South Africa entered Level 5 lockdown in March, alcohol and tobacco products were pulled from shelves, resulting in devastating losses in both sectors.

There are fresh worries that Covid-19 cases, especially in the Eastern Cape’s Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Sarah Baartman district, have risen sharply, and could indicate the dawn of a second wave of the coronavirus.

The province expressed concern that Level 1 lockdown regulations were also being consistently flouted by the alcohol sector. This has prompted a multisectoral approach between government, police and the alcohol industry to curb the rise in infections.

In the Western Cape, premier Alan Winde has consistently tabled possible strategies to curb a possible resurgence of Covid-19 cases, and to fully prepare its health system.

“At this stage, no decision has been taken yet on localised restrictions, and we are still seeking legal advice on what is possible, given that disaster restrictions are imposed by national government and not by provinces.”

However, Winde emphasised that another lockdown would devastate South Africa’s economy. Following Covid-19 protocols such as wearing masks, sanitising and practising social distancing was key, he said, to “make a major dent in this resurgence”.

Sun International has made it clear that rumours within the sector are indeed doing the rounds, but at this point there was no indication of another alcohol ban.

However, the lack of information was fuelling whispers of another lockdown.

The South African Liquor Brandowners Association, when asked about the rumours, said: “The alcohol industry has declined to comment on the current speculation about the lockdown regulations.”

Other players in the sector said once meetings with the National Economic Development and Labour Council were concluded, the discussions could become more open by today.

The Eastern Cape health department failed to respond to request for comment by the time of publication.