alcohol ban - The African Mirror

Jun

2021

New harsh rules: SA bans booze, public gatherings

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER TWELVE days after introducing stricter anti-COVID-19 measures, South Africa has made them even tougher, banning the sale of alcohol, public gatherings and keeping pupils and university students from contact classes. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a special address to the nation - “a family meeting” - said the country would move into Lockdown Level Four and unveiled tougher rules to help stem the increasing number of infections, hospitalisations and deaths brought on by the third wave. These are the measures announced by Ramaphosa and will be in force until July 11: All gatherings - political, cultural…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

South African barley farmers face bleak outlook as alcohol ban hurts demand

NEWS

SOUTH African barley farmers are bracing for a tough market ahead as demand for the grain used to make beer falls and stockpiles grow after a ban on the sale of alcohol was reinstated as the country battles a surge in COVID-19 cases. The government in December enforced its third ban on alcohol sales since the outbreak of the virus to alleviate pressure on strained healthcare facilities after a rise in infections. Unutilised stocks of barley, which is mainly planted for malting purpose in South Africa, stood at around 719,307 tonnes by December, 49% higher than a year ago, according…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s wine industry heads to court to fight alcohol ban

NEWS

SOUTH Africa's wine industry has asked the courts to allow the main wine-growing region to exempt itself from a ban on the sale of alcohol that was reinstated last month to ease pressure on hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. VinPro, which represents wine producers and cellars, said it had approached the Western Cape High Court to seek interim relief from the ban which would allow the premier of the Western Cape to regulate the sale of liquor in the province. "Although the liquor ban is intended to ensure that hospitals have the capacity to treat those who become ill, the…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

South African smokers empty shops of cigarettes after ban lifted

COVID-19

TUMELO MODIBA and PROMIT MUKHERJEE IN the latest wave of panic-buying triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, South African smokers snapped up all the cigarettes they could lay their hands on after the lifting of a five-month ban designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. As part of a broader easing of restrictions, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday announced the end of a ban on sales of tobacco products and alcohol, effective from midnight on Monday. Customers, wary of shortages or future bans, bought whatever they could on Tuesday, in scenes reminiscent of panic-buying of groceries at the start of…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

South African speakeasies boost calls for end to COVID booze ban

COVID-19

TANISHA HEIDEBERG and EMMA RUMNEY IN an Italian bistro in an upmarket Johannesburg neighbourhood, smiling patrons chat at candle-lit tables in a scene reminiscent of less-troubled times before the COVID-19 pandemic. But there's no alcohol on the menu. Instead, diners order red or white "coffee" served in grey mugs, the tell-tale sign of a modern-day South African speakeasy. Under one of the world's strictest lockdowns, South Africa banned alcohol to lower hospital admissions for injuries from drink-related violence and accidents and ease the burden on healthworkers facing the worst coronavirus outbreak in Africa. But businesses from wine makers to restaurants…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

SAB dumps R5-billion investment plans after South Africa alcohol ban

NEWS

SOUTH African Breweries (SAB) has announced the cancellation of R5-billion ($290 million) of planned investments as a result of revenue losses sustained during a nearly three-month ban on alcohol sales during the coronavirus crisis. The South African drinks industry has been among the hardest hit by restrictions, which included a ban on the sale of alcohol to the end of May, which was reinstated last month to free up space in hospitals burdened by what officials said were avoidable alcohol-related injuries. "The cancellation of this planned expenditure is a direct consequence of having lost 12 full trading weeks, which effectively…