The respondents from across all nine provinces found that 38% said they do not drink alcohol as a rule, which left 3 095 respondents to complete the survey on how they had been experiencing the resumption of legal alcohol sales during lockdown.

64% of those who did drink alcohol said they had bought alcohol legally since the lifting of sales restrictions, and 66% of respondents said they were happy the ban had been lifted. A large proportion of those aged 18-34 had bought alcohol under Level 3, with half spending up to R500.

Interestingly, while all provinces scored relatively evenly in terms of who had bought alcohol, the North-West province was the most abstinent with 39% saying they have not bought liquor under Level 3.

63% of respondents were drinking one to three times per week under Level 3; however. The majority of younger respondents (more than 70% up to the age of 54) said they thought people were not drinking responsibly under Level 3 lockdown. Those aged 55-64 were the most strident in their criticism, with 84% feeling alcohol was being abused.

Furthermore, 76% are worried about their health and safety and that of their friends and family because of alcohol. Those who have seen negative consequences felt public disturbance (noise and gatherings after hours, 29%), increased violence (domestic and other, 22%) and increased numbers of vehicle accidents (19%) were the main indications.

When asked about reinstating the ban, 61% felt it would be a good thing due to the impact on their communities. 52% of those responding to the survey felt the government had made a mistake in allowing alcohol sales under Level 3 lockdown.

The main reasons are that South Africans seem to be now more aware of the harmful impact on personal lives and communities. 52% of respondents said they believe alcohol is damaging to themselves and others under Level 3 and 74% said the country’s health system does not have the capacity to deal with alcohol-related medical issues in conjunction with Covid-19 cases.