Calls for government to unban alcohol sales intensifies
“The industry is broken, Thousands have already lost their jobs since the ban.
Restaurant owners were conducting a sit-in protest outside the Union Buildings on Tuesday, to with the government to lift the ban on alcohol sales under level 3 lockdown.
CEO of the Restaurant Association of SA (Rasa) Wendy Alberts said: “These are the last living hours of the industry. Thousands of restaurants had to close down across the country due to the alcohol ban.”
Alberts told Rekord on Tuesday, that a letter of proposal was sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Our heartfelt letter was acknowledged, so we just waiting to hear feedback from the presidency and hopefully in the next few days, there will be an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss workable solutions to save this already bleeding industry.”
Photo: Supplied
A surge of Covid-19 infections saw the government move the country back to level 3 lockdown on 28 December, which ultimately saw the ban on the sale, distribution and transport of alcohol being reinstated.
Alberts said that the association also wanted to see the curfew lifted.
“The industry is broken. Thousands have already lost their jobs since the ban and we are here pleading for the ban of alcohol to be lifted. We have turned to the public to help raise our voice hoping that the president will hear our cries of desperation,” Alberts said.
The manager at Moreleta Park’s Rock88 Shaun Strydom said the restaurant was forced to close temporarily because of the ban.
“Any form of relief at this point will be heaven, but realistically, giving us four days a week and limiting sales till 18:00 will only go that far. Some businesses, like ours, rely on evening trade, and our core clientele only start arriving at 18:00,” he told Rekord.
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“We would appreciate any relief, but we need to be realistic with regards to what is needed for sustainability of this industry.”
Strydom was concerned that many restaurants, bars and taverns might never open again even if the ban was not lifted.
“Look, our flu season starts, and we haven’t had enough trading time to recover, the most restaurants will not be able to open again,” he said.
Local paramedic Xander Loubser said the need for the ban was there but it should be lifted as soon as the rate of infections/death stabilised.
“I’m an alcohol consumer myself, the focus in general should be on responsible drinking,” he said.
“I’ve been involved with the Responsible Drinking Media Awards a few years, ago and I understand the implications of alcohol abuse and alcohol-related injuries.
“Thus, I am in agreement with the decision to ban alcohol in preparation for the second wave of Covid-19 infections,” he said.
“However, I support lifting of the alcohol ban with encouragement on responsible use as the number of infections decrease and as the Coronavirus command council decides to ease the alert level of the lockdown.”
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