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Alcohol sale to be allowed under level 3 lockdown, tobacco sales remain banned

Cyril Ramaphosa
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The sale of alcohol will be allowed when South Africa moves to level 3 lockdown in June.

Alcohol may be sold for home consumption only under strict conditions, on specified days and for limited hours.

The sale of tobacco products will remain prohibited.

The President says the ban is due to the health risks associated with smoking.

President Cyril  Ramaphosa made the announcement on Sunday night.

Government’s decision on this comes amid an industry outcry over the ban on the sale of tobacco products, with cigarette traders saying the ban is empowering illegal tobacco traders.

Below is the president’s address:

The President says all economic activity will be permitted with a few exceptions. Businesses like hair salons and entertainment areas will remain closed as they pose a high risk of transmission.

“Places such as restaurants, bars, taverns accept for the collection or delivery of food. Accommodation and domestic air travel accept for business travel which will be phased in on dates to be announced conferences events, entertainment and sporting facilities, personal care services including hairdressing and beauty services.”

Below is an infographic of what will be permitted during level 3 lockdown:

 

INFOGRPHIC: Some restrictions will be in place at every level of the lockdown

Curfew on movement

People will still be able to leave their homes to buy goods or obtain services, including medical care.

Exercise will now be permitted any time during the day, however not in groups.

The 8 pm and 5am curfew has been lifted.

All gatherings will remain prohibited, except for funerals with no more than 50 people and work meetings.

Below is the President’s full speech:

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Protection of workers 

Ramaphosa says the return to work of employees must be done in a manner that avoids and reduces risk of infection.

“Companies will need to put in place sanitary and social distancing measures and facilities; they will need to screen workers on arrival each day, quarantine those who may be infected and make arrangements for them to be tested. They also need to assist with contact tracing if employees test positive. Because of their vulnerability, all staff who are older than 60 years of age and those who suffer from underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer should ideally stay at home.”

Hotspots

Ramaphosa says high infection areas will be declared COVID-19 hotspots. The President has urged the nation to continue with preventative measures against the virus such as washing hands regularly, physical distancing and cleaning of surfaces.
“Now, as we enter the next phase of our struggle against the coronavirus, it is once again your actions that will determine the fate of our nation. As individuals, as families, as communities, it is you who will determine whether we experience the devastation that so many other countries have suffered, or whether we can spare our people, our society and our economy from the worst effects of this pandemic.”

Health workers praised

President Ramaphosa thanked public servants, especially those in the front line in the fight against COVID-19.

He says the safety of all workers, including public servants, is a matter of concern.

The President promised to provide adequate personal protection equipment to ensure the safety of all workers.

 

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