The South African alcohol industry released a statement to say it supports the message of President Cyril Ramaphosa and his call for all South Africans to pull together to contain the resurgence of Covid-19 infections.

ALSO READ: Beacon Park still closed to the public due to Covid-19 concerns by city

“The sector supports the government’s approach of localised, targeted interventions and the industry will continue to collaborate closely with various spheres of government to ensure that the lockdown level 1 regulations are adhered to and that everyone remains vigilant,” said chairman of SALBA, Sibani Mngadi.

The industry has already voiced its support of the government’s measures to reduce the spike in coronavirus infections stemming from gatherings. During the festive season, Mngadi said the sector has withdrawn all support for or association of its brands with naming rights for major entertainment events for which an events licence is required.

The significant restriction put on the off-consumption outlets to trade only from 10am to 6pm on Monday to Thursday remains an area of concern. “For example, the grocery shops, off-consumption retailers have demonstrated effort to adhere to the safety protocols in the management of shoppers. The severe limitation put on the off-consumption channel will have a devastating impact that could potentially lead to job losses in the retail sector,” explained Mngadi.

Overall, he said the industry respects the government’s rational and measured response to the increases in the number of cases in various hot spots. “We echo the President’s call to remain vigilant and urge alcohol outlets to adhere to the government’s Covid-19 regulations, namely, insisting on masks, maintaining social distancing, obeying the curfew hours and sanitising regularly and repeatedly. The same goes for the customers.”

The alcohol industry is already working together with provincial governments in most of the provinces affected by the resurgence. The industry has already committed to train and deploy 1,000 community patrollers in the Covid-19 hotspots areas in the targeted provinces.

“Working together with the SAPS and Community Policing Forums, the patrollers will ensure compliance with the regulations in alcohol outlets in the catchment areas of the selected police stations. ‘This month, a partnership programme was established between the industry and the Community Policing Forums to specifically address enforcing compliance from the liquor outlets around Covid-19 safety protocols, licencing conditions, Gender-Based Violence and femicide risks and pedestrian fatalities,” added Mngadi.

The industry urges everyone to download the COVID ALERT SA app from either the Apple App or Google Play stores. The industry also urges the public to make use of the hotline to report any violation of the regulations: Consumer Goods Council hotline: on 0800 014 856.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting