Government is clamping down on liquor sales at clubs, pubs and restaurants with immediate effect. The government has also clarified how it would handle suspected coronavirus patients who refused testing or treatment.
In a Government Gazette signed on Tuesday by Co-operative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, government said pubs and clubs would be limited to 50 patrons at a time as part of measures to fight the coronavirus.
On Sunday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national disaster.
Since, more than 116 people in the country have been infected with the virus, according to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.
As part of regulations, Dlamini Zuma said government was placing a limit on the sale and transportation of liquor.
“All registered or licensed on-consumption liquor premises which can accommodate, including taverns, restaurants and clubs, must be closed with immediate effect, or must be limited to accommodate no more than 50 persons: Provided that adequate space is available and that all directions in respect of hygienic conditions and limitation of exposure of persons with the Covid-19 virus are adhered to,” she said.
The regulations effectively shut down all night clubs as the regulations also state that they must be closed between 6pm and 9am during weekdays and on Saturdays. This includes pubs, clubs and restaurants which sell liquor.
On Sundays and on public holidays, the pubs, clubs and restaurants which sell liquour must be closed between 1pm and 6am.
For liquor stores, government said they must be closed between 6pm and 9am on weekdays and on Saturdays, and on Sundays and public holidays, they must be closed between 1pm and 9am.
Meanwhile, the government has warned that any clubs, restaurants or liquor outlets who do not adhere to the regulations may be imprisoned for upto six months in jail.
“Any person who convenes a gathering; permits more than 50 persons at premises where liquor is sold and consumed; or hinders, interferes with, or obstructs an enforcement officer in the exercise of his or her powers, or the performance of his or her duties in terms of these Regulations, is guilty of an offence and, on conviction, liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment,” the Government Gazette warned.