NEW alcohol CURFEW for Limpopo- Here is the latest

NEW alcohol CURFEW for Limpopo- Here is the latest
Image: Adobe Stock

New Alcohol Rules: Drinks may flow, but only before curfew

Liquor traders have reacted to the government’s latest decision regarding the new alcohol rules for bars and taverns under lockdown level 3.

NEW alcohol CURFEW for Limpopo- Here is the latest

NEW alcohol CURFEW for Limpopo- Here is the latest
Image: Adobe Stock

Bar and tavern owners have breathed a sigh of relief regarding the government’s decision to allow the sale of alcohol under the adjusted lockdown level 3 which kicked in at midnight on Wednesday.

Lucky Ntimane, convenor of the National Liquor Traders Council welcomed the government’s decision not to impose restrictions on the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption under the adjusted lockdown Level 3. 

“Taverners have been working very hard to ensure that patrons comply with COVID-19 safety protocols and will continue to do so,” Ntimane said.

“Taking a whole of society approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic and driving compliance with safety protocols through broad co-operation is far more effective than top-down restrictions and we’re glad the government has recognised this,” he said.

“We call on our members to continue to ensure maximum vigilance among their staff and patrons. While we are grateful that no restrictions have been placed on us, now is not the time to let down our guard,” Ntimane said. 

“In fact, we must step up our efforts to keep our patrons and communities safe as the third wave intensifies,” he added.

Ntimane said the organisation would like to “thank” the premiers of Gauteng David Makhura, the Eastern Cape’s Oscar Mabuyane and the Western Cape’s Alan Winde. 

“We further appreciate engagements with the Minister of Cogta Dr Nkosazana Dlamini – Zuma and deputy minister of DTIC Mr Fikile Majola for supporting a balanced approach. We do not take the opportunity afforded to us to trade during this difficult period lightly and we see this as a vote of confidence by government to allow liquor traders to trade and continue to support our families in a responsible manner whilst supporting government’s efforts in fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

Ntimane said compliant outlets needed to be protected from the illicit alcohol trade, which was the only beneficiary of bans on alcohol. 

“This decision to allow taverns and other on-consumption outlets to continue trading will help to protect livelihoods supported by the legal liquor industry, and we appreciate the fact that government has taken this into consideration,” Ntimane said.