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.
Sources with intimate knowledge of the latest talks say in light of decreasing numbers of daily Covid-19 infections, President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce changes which will include lifting the ban on sales and distribution of alcohol.
It wasn’t immediately clear when Ramaphosa would address the nation but insiders said there was an expectation he would speak on Monday evening.
Among the eased restrictions, according to insiders, was a relaxing of the curfew, possibly to 11pm.
Sources inside the presidential co-ordinating council that met on Sunday said health minister Zweli Mkhize told the meeting Covid-19 cases have dropped significantly and this allowed the country to ease restrictions. SA recorded 4,525 Covid-19 cases and 213 deaths on Sunday.
The country was moved from alert level 1 to level 3 on December 28 amid rising Covid-19 infections. The changes saw the banning of alcohol sales, a 9pm to 6am curfew and the closure of on-land borders, among others.
Sources told TimesLIVE the alcohol ban is set to be lifted with off-site sales allowed from Monday to Thursday between 10am and 6pm while on-site consumption will be allowed from 10am to 9pm, when restaurants close.
One source said the curfew hours will be pushed to between 10pm and 4am and not 11pm while another source said discussions were still underway on whether to start the curfew at 10pm or 11pm. Travel during the curfew hours will be allowed as long as one can produce an employer’s letter.
Beaches and parks will be reopened across the country.
Social and faith-based gatherings will continue to be limited to 50 people indoors.
There will be no changes regarding funerals as they will still be limited to 50 people within a two-hour service.
Nightclubs will remain closed and social and political gatherings will still not be allowed.
There are also no changes pertaining to theatres and gyms.
The proposed changes were announced by co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, according to one source.
The Restaurant Association of SA and liquor traders have been calling on government to lift the liquor ban and the curfew for weeks. Industry bosses said their sector was on its knees.
Ramaphosa and Deputy President David Mabuza are on Monday expected to receive the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines from India. This is part of the first phase of the vaccine rollout which is aimed at prioritising at least 1.2m health workers.
TimesLIVE
