Image via Adobe Stock
Image via Adobe Stock
With bars and taverns having opened up again and been given the green light to sell alcohol during Level 2 of the nationwide lockdown, South Africans have been relishing the opportunity to pop out for a cold one – but the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has asked them to do so responsibly.
Having already seen the alcohol ban lifted and swiftly reapplied when excessive drinking was blamed for a surge in trauma unit admissions, the DA begged residents on Monday 24 August to not allow the same thing to happen again.
Meanwhile, National Government has continued to blame alcohol for rampant crime in South Africa, saying that bad boozing behaviour is at the heart of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and assault leading to overwhelmed trauma units.
‘Province cannot afford for alcohol ban to be reimplemented’ – DA
The DA’s Daylin Mitchell said that residents in the province need to be as mindful of the way in which they approach drinking as they are about ensuring that they act responsibly to stem the spread of COVID-19.
“The DA in the Western Cape calls on all residents in the province to drink responsibly under the lockdown level 2 regulations which sees the lifting of the alcohol ban,” he said.
“It remains a key priority in order to showcase that the ban should not be reimplemented and that we do not place any unnecessary strain on our healthcare and safety services.”
“Just as we need to change our behaviour for stopping the spread of COVID-19, we also need to be mindful of behavioural change when consuming alcohol so that we do so safely and without harm to others.”
He said that the survival of the liquor and restaurant industries is absolutely dependent on the sale of alcohol being permitted, and further regression of policy simply cannot be allowed to happen.
“It is should be noted that the province as well as the liquor industry cannot afford for the ban to be reimplemented, as they have already taken a hard knock due to the flip-flopping of regulations,” he said.
Drinkers urged to use e-hailing services after consuming alcohol
Mitchell said that it is critical that the Western Cape’s roads remain void of drunk drivers, and encouraged residents heading out to their local haunts to use e-hailing services, which are also desperate to reinvigorate their revenue streams after a near total collapse during the more severe lockdown levels.
“Under these circumstances I urge residents to allocate a responsible driver or use other means of transport such as e-hailing,” he said.
“Responsible and safe transport methods should be implemented when consuming alcohol as arrests and deaths due to driving under the influence have severe knock on effects.”
“I call on all residents to drink responsibly and not to drink and drive as the safety of theirs and innocent residents must not be compromised.”
Police Minister Bheki Cele has also encouraged the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ‘clamp-down hard’ on those found guilty of alcohol abuse in South Africa, after a fatal drink-driving incident claimed the lives of three police officers on the weekend.
Government tweeted on Monday that excessive drinking also remains the most central issue when it comes to crime, adding that they estimate that 70% of domestic violence is associated with reckless alcohol abuse.
“Alcohol abuse is at the heart of contact crime which include murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault resulting in grievous bodily harm, common assault, and robbery,” they said.
Social distancing protocols must continue to be practiced
One of the National Coronavirus Command Council’s (NCCC’s) most pronounced declarations of their achievement during the lockdown has been the drop in road fatalities, but these numbers increased dramatically in May when the ban was lifted for the first time.
“If residents plan to consume alcohol in the comfort of their homes or at pubs please do not drink and drive,” said Mitchell, adding that drinkers must continue to practice safe social distancing behaviours when they support bars and taverns.
“Let us all take the necessary precautions to maintain social distancing and keep up with good hygiene practices at all times.”
Governemnt tweeted on Monday that excessive drinking also remains the most central issue when it comes to crime
“Alcohol abuse is at the heart of contact crime which include murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault resulting in grievous bodily harm, common assault, and robbery.”
