02 February 2021 - 07:56 By TimesLIVE President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday night that wine sales for home consumption can be reopened from Monday to Thursday. File photo. Image: Zack Daniel
Wine industry body Vinpro is relieved that wine businesses can start trading again now that the third ban on local liquor sales is lifted, but says action is needed to improve the industry s long-term sustainability.
“Wine businesses have not been able to earn any income from local wine sales for a total of 20 weeks since March 2020, which led to an overall loss of more than R8bn in direct sales revenue and still threatens the survival of cellars, wine grape producers and the livelihoods of 27,000 employees in the wine industry value-chain,” it said.
Booze ban set to be lifted this week, curfew eased and beaches reopened Lockdown level 2 loading 01 February 2021 - 09:00 By Andisiwe Makinana and Kgothatso Madisa
The ban on the sales and distribution of alcohol is expected to be lifted when the country moves to a lower Covid-19 lockdown level this week.
This as cabinet is expected to ease Covid-19 restrictions, which will see the country move to alert level 2.
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Western Cape premier Alan Winde is offering suggestions how to allow for a controlled reopening of the economy under Covid-19 regulations, including a limited resumption of the sale of alcohol.
Restaurants raided for serving alcohol during lockdown ban, booze confiscated 18 January 2021 - 07:22 By TimesLIVE Police raided restaurants in Sandton and Pretoria on the weekend. Image: SAPS
Police arrested the managers of two popular restaurants in Sandton and Silverton for selling liquor to patrons during the prohibition on booze sales under Covid -19 adjusted level 3 lockdown regulations.
A restaurant in West Street in Sandton, Gauteng, was on Saturday found to be “full to capacity and openly serving alcohol at the tables”, said police. Health protocols were not being observed. Two of the restaurant’s managers were arrested and charged with contravention of the Disaster Management Act.
As the government’s efforts to secure supplies of Covid-19 vaccines find growing success, the Treasury is considering raising taxes as one of several possible mechanisms to fund the biggest vaccination drive in SA’s history.