Concerns over possible stricter lockdown measures this festive season have resulted in many industries anxious about the effect such measures could have.
They say a lockdown could cripple many businesses across the country. There has been a rise in COVID-19 infections due to the new variant, Omicron.
This strain of the virus is said to be far more transmissible, compared to previous variants.
The national liquor traders association’s Lucky Ntimane says if an alcohol ban is imposed it will have a detrimental effect on business owners and employees.
“We are concerned about the possibility of the alcohol ban or possible restrictions which we feel will not be based on science or common sense. We as the alcohol industry ensure that our liquor traders and patrons have undergone vaccinations so we feel since we have done our part that government must level with us and talk to us so that we can find sustainable ways on which we can deal with COVID-19 without having to subject our people to poverty by compromising their livelihoods, the issue of lives is important but so is livelihoods.”
The National Coronavirus Command Council is expected to meet this week to discuss the rise in infections.
Tourism already feeling the pinch
The South African tourism industry has lost almost a billion rand in booking cancellations since the discovery of the Omicron variant.
The variant prompted some countries like the United States and the United Kingdom to impose a travel ban during the peak travel season.
This has put the brakes on various events which were due to be held over the festive season.
Omicron impact on tourism:
