Lockdown Alcohol Ban: Restaurant Owners to Protest at Union Buildings

Monday, January 25, 2021 at 6:18 PM by Thando Mpembe

- The Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) is calling for the alcohol ban to be lifted

- The association is concerned that restaurants will not be able to make enough money without the sale of alcohol

- According to RASA, there has been an increased loss of jobs in the industry due to alcohol bans

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The alcohol ban during the adjusted level 3 of lockdown is making it difficult for restaurants to make money during the pandemic. Restaurant owners are now set to protest against the government for closing down alcohol sales.

Liquor traders have also been calling for the ban to be lifted since alcohol sales have been prohibited since 28 December 2020.

The Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) decided to do a sit-in at the Union Buildings in Pretoria earlier today. The association is arguing that closing the sale of alcohol has led to the loss of more jobs in their industry.

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“It is a very, very emotional, very devastating time for our industry as many of these restaurants will never ever be able to open if we don’t do something immediately," said Wendy Alberts, from the association.

Lockdown alcohol ban: Restaurant owners to protest at Union Buildings — The prohibition of alcohol sales has made it hard for restaurants to make money. Image: Gulshan Khan/AFP and Georges Gobet/AFP
Source: Getty Images

According to Alberts, the association is looking for a way forward so that alcohol can be sold once again.

"We need to let them hear the voice of the restaurants, of the industry, of the restaurateurs and find a viable, workable solution that we can collaborate in both supporting government," said Alberts.

The government is still not letting up on the ban, when President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on 11 January 2021, it was made clear that alcohol sales will remain closed because it is aiding hospitals in having less alcohol-related trauma in the wards.

In other news, Briefly.co.za reported that the ANC will tirelessly work against Covid-19 unemployment, according to Ramaphosa. President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed the closing of the African National Congress' National Executive Council Lekgotla.