Liquor traders want govt to allow them to operate on weekends
Under level one of the COVID-19 lockdown, the sale of alcohol at retail outlets is only permitted from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm.
SAB beer crates are being gathered as Fenyane Bottle store prepares for alcohol sales, It will also be allowed again on the 18 August 2020. Alcohol will be permitted for on-site consumption in licensed establishments only up until 10 pm. Vosloorus, Ekuerhuleni. Picture: Sethembiso Zulu/EWN
JOHANNESBURG – Liquor traders under the banner of the National Liquor Trade Council want government to allow them to operate on weekends.
Under level one of the COVID-19 lockdown, the sale of alcohol at retail outlets is only permitted from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm.
The National Liquor Trade Council has written a formal letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting that he remove the regulations pertaining to the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption, saying it was impacting negatively on their businesses.
They have also cited job losses.
The Liquor Brand Owners Association’s Kurt Moore said they were in support of the call.
“As an industry, we are disappointed that government does not allow off-site consumption outlets to trade in terms of their licensing conditions or at least engage in some trade on weekends.”
The National Liquor Trade Council and other partners argue that the current regulations are especially harsh on township-based taverns, bottles stores and independently owned retail traders.
