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Covid-19| Expects want s tougher lockdown restrictions amid the face of third wave in the country. Bars to close at 6pm and parties to be closed.
Tuesday fellow South Africans will not raise their glass to the South African Alcohol Policy (SAPAA) after the forum of experts proposed guidance that would severely limit the availability of liquor in South Africa during the impending Covid-19 third wave.
The forum is now adamant that the government should act sooner rather later.
Alcohol bans and restrictions are becoming the ‘go-to policies’ whenever South Africa needs to take step back on its road out of lockdown. With a resurgence of the virus now essentially confirmed on our shores, it looks like booze will once again have to take one the team. This will be again another period of prohibition up for consideration.
If alcohol cannot be banned outright, the folks at SAPAA want to see some much heavier restrictions on alcohol this time around. In the statement issued on Monday, Director Maurice Smithers proposed the following measures ;
- Temporarily impose zero breath and blood concentration levels for drivers during the State of Disaster.
- Ban all special offers for reduced price alcoholic beverages during lockdown
- Ban all alcohol advertising except at point of sale to reduce the pressure on people to drink.
- Prohibit major alcohol-fuelled party events, including street bashes.
- Reduce the gathering numbers to 50 indoors and 100 outdoors.
- Extend the curfew from midnight to 22:00 seven days a week.
- Close all on-consumption liquor outlets (pubs, bars) from 18:00 on public holidays and one day prior to public holidays.
- Reduce off-consumption operating hours for bottle stores.
To some, these laws will seem firm but fair. Others will take a glance and be left horrified by the depth of their severity. SAPAA are adamant, however, Tha the data is supportive of more ‘draconian rules’ when infection rates starts raising.
We have seen an additional burden on the healthcare system caused by trauma cases related to harmful drinking, through car crashes and incidents of interpersonal violence. Also, when people consume alcohol, their ability to adhere to Covid-19 protocols can be diminished. Said Maurice
SAPAA are not the only voices calling for a crackdown on the ale. Charles Parry as the director of Alcohol, Tobacco and other drug Research Unit at SA Medical Research Council also suggests that the party hasn’t been too effective in the past. But rather than an outright ban, the professor believes other restrictions can be imposed.