South African Breweries (SAB) on Sunday appealed to the government to consider allowing for reasonable trading hours of alcohol during a level 3 lockdown.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 19h00 on developments in South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19.
The President’s address follows recent meetings of Cabinet, the National Coronavirus Command Council and the President’s Coordinating Council, which considered the prospects for the country’s progression from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 of the national lockdown.
Ahead of Ramaphosa’s address to the nation, SAB corporate affairs vice president Zoleka Lisa said in a statement:
“We want to be part of the solution, and regard the proposals put forward by the business and the industry as having taken serious consideration to resuscitating our economy as well as ensuring that our customers and retailers remain safe.”
“We want to appeal to government that as they deliberate on the trade of regulated alcohol, they consider allowing for sufficient sales channels, reasonable trading hours, and number of days.”
The SAB has made a few recommendations ahead of the reopening of outlets, including extending operating hours, allowing licensed off-consumption outlets to sell alcohol subject to strict physical distancing, requirements and granting a special dispensation for taverns to operate as off-consumption outlets and allow for “click and collect” model.
“During this time we re-engineered our business and accepted a challenge to work with government and donated hand sanitisers, face shields, and face masks in support of our essential health workers,” said Lisa.
The President’s address will be broadcast live on television and radio and will be streamed live on a range of online platforms.
Stand in solidarity with the 250 000 livelihoods that are at stake if South African Breweries cannot trade. Click on this link: https://t.co/ZxOrik4SgY to change your profile pic to show your support.
#ResponsibleTogether. https://t.co/kF3ulk6aLp— SABreweries (@SABreweries) May 24, 2020
