‘No vaccine, no alcohol’ message was misunderstood says Tshwane metro
“We don’t have such powers to say without vaccination cards, you cannot buy alcohol.”
Tshwane Mayor, Randall Williams has clarified what he meant by saying “no vaccine, no alcohol”, after media reports were taken out of context according to the metro at the Zwartkops Raceway drive-thru site, on Wednesday.
Tshwane mayoral spokesperson Sipho Stuurman said the reports on the mayor allegedly suggesting that the sale of alcohol could be prohibited to members of the public who had not received Covid-19 vaccinations, was false.
Stuurman said Williams was simply trying to drive home a message that Tshwane needed to reach herd immunity through vaccinations.
He said the mayor was further simply expressing options at the metro’s level to relook at ways to motivate the public to get vaccinated.
“The mayor has not said this is a concept the metro will implement, but rather said we need to relook different strategies.”
He said further only the national government could implement laws in regards to Covid-19.
“We don’t have such powers to say without vaccination cards, you cannot buy alcohol.”
Stuurman said the mayor was advising anyone attending events where alcohol was consumed to rather be vaccinated, as these were potential super spreader events.
He said Williams remarked upon seeing trends in various parts of the world, where countries were implementing rules in regards to operations at super spreader events, selling alcohol.
“Currently in various parts of the world, dancing clubs, music events, entertainment and recreational facilities are implementing measures to ensure that their attendees are fully vaccinated. It is not a particularly controversial notion as it will assist in encouraging increased levels of vaccination.”
Stuurman said the mayor encouraged residents to get vaccinated at Tshwane’s 43 sites, some of which will be operational on weekends as well.
He said the metro was pushing to vaccinate the reluctant “at-risk” members of the public.
Tshwane Health MMC Sakkie du Plooy said Tshwane was seeing loads of young adults leading by example with fast vaccination uptakes, as opposed to the “at-risk” groups.
He said the Tshwane vaccination drive was being broadened almost daily.
“The Tshwane Vaccination Coordinating Team is implementing strategies to take vaccinations to the people. This includes establishing pop-up sites at taxi ranks, reaching out to religious and faith-based organisations, and establishing ward-based vaccination sites, while the Gauteng health department has also arranged free transport from Mooiplaats and Olievenhoutbosch to the Momentum Doringkloof vaccination site from August 24 to September 4.”
He encouraged residents to contact 0800 029 999 for more details.
Read original story on rekord.co.za
