BL Premium reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has referred the liquor industry to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) after the industry raised concerns about a possible ban on alcohol sales.

The National Liquor Traders Council [NLC] and Liquor Traders Association of SA, which represents big players including the bulk of township-based taverns and bottle stores, wrote to Ramaphosa on Sunday requesting a meeting to discuss the response to the growing Covid-19 infections and a possible third wave in the country. The government introduced alcohol bans on three separate occasions in 2020, totalling about 20 weeks, in bids to reduce the number of trauma patients in hospitals. The bans attracted widespread condemnation for the devastating effect on the economy, including R38bn in lost liquor sales, R27bn less tax revenue, job losses and billions in cancelled investment. Now there are fears that another ban may be on the cards as Covid-19 cases surge and the government struggles with the vaccine rollout. In their letter, the liquor industry bodies said where restrictions in economic activity were required, these should be explained with clear end dates. “This allows businesses to plan, rather than facing an open-ended disruption which is significantly more difficult to manage and leads to far greater business distress and job losses. Setting clear end dates, or at least clear criteria upon which restrictions would be lifted (such as infection rates) is vital,” said Lucky Ntimane on behalf of the industry. Last week the lobby group SA Alcohol Policy Alliance (Saapa) called for a fourth alcohol ban.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bekezela Phakathi at BusinessLive (paywall access only)

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