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Alcohol ban and lockdown level 4 could be extended for weeks
While the inter-provincial travel ban preventing movement into and out of Gauteng for leisure purposes could be relaxed, the other restrictions of South Africa's current level 4 lockdown should not be reduced.
This is the view of CSIR researchers Ridhwaan Suliman and Jabu Mtsweni, based on their analysis of South Africa's Covid-19 infections, available hospital capacity, and other factors.
Mtsweni and Suliman said that considering that hospitals in Gauteng are already at capacity — almost similar levels as we saw in South Africa's second wave — freeing up beds for Covid-19 patients is a primary concern.
"The alcohol ban tries to achieve this," the researchers stated.
"But, we do also understand that this has a serious impact on businesses, so balancing lives and livelihoods is very challenging on the alcohol issue."
Their analysis comes after the wine industry released a report on Thursday warning that many businesses will go under if the current prohibition on alcohol sales in South Africa continues.
“The fact that national government chooses not to take a differentiated approach to decisions with regard to the management of Covid-19 means that the current ban could be extended for the next four to five weeks after the current two-week ban is set to end on 11 July 2021," said Vinpro MD Rico Basson.
While the inter-provincial travel ban preventing movement into and out of Gauteng for leisure purposes could be relaxed, the other restrictions of South Africa's current level 4 lockdown should not be reduced.
This is the view of CSIR researchers Ridhwaan Suliman and Jabu Mtsweni, based on their analysis of South Africa's Covid-19 infections, available hospital capacity, and other factors.
Mtsweni and Suliman said that considering that hospitals in Gauteng are already at capacity — almost similar levels as we saw in South Africa's second wave — freeing up beds for Covid-19 patients is a primary concern.
"The alcohol ban tries to achieve this," the researchers stated.
"But, we do also understand that this has a serious impact on businesses, so balancing lives and livelihoods is very challenging on the alcohol issue."
Their analysis comes after the wine industry released a report on Thursday warning that many businesses will go under if the current prohibition on alcohol sales in South Africa continues.
“The fact that national government chooses not to take a differentiated approach to decisions with regard to the management of Covid-19 means that the current ban could be extended for the next four to five weeks after the current two-week ban is set to end on 11 July 2021," said Vinpro MD Rico Basson.
