Western Cape Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz has warned liquor shops to adhere to the new regulations gazetted after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the Coronavirus outbreak a national disaster.
Fritz said there would be no dop sales between 6pm and 9am on weekdays and Saturdays.
And trading will happen from 9am to 1pm on Sundays and all public holidays.
Fritz said that all on-consumption premises selling liquor, including taverns, restaurants and clubs may continue to operate ONLY if the following conditions are complied with:
* All liquor, opened, closed, finished or unfinished MUST be off the tables, and can’t be consumed, during the no-sale hours;
* No more than 50 people may be accommodated on the premises at the same time, including staff;
* Adequate space must be available for social distancing which means 1 square metre per person; and
* All directions in respect of hygienic conditions and limitation of exposure to persons with Covid-19 must be adhered to.
Fritz said all businesses that do not adhere “must close with immediate effect until further notice”.
“It is important to note that restaurants and other businesses which sell alcohol on-site may remain open until their closing time but must enforce the necessary hygienic measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 and ensure the health and safety of residents in the province, ” he said.
He warned the Western Cape Liquor Authority that action will be taken against licence holders who contravene the rules.
Those who are found to be trading beyond the prescribed hours will be issued with a formal warning at first. Thereafter, their liquor licences may be suspended.
The regulations will be enforced by both SAPS and Law Enforcement, he added.
One of the first to be arrested, following the announcement by the Minister of Police Bheki Cele about the changes in liquor selling hours, was a tavern owner in Asanda Village, Strand.
The man was arrested on Friday for selling alcohol after 6pm.
There were customers drinking on the premises when police pounced.