Ramaphosa to address South Africa on Monday over Covid-19 developments
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 20h00 on Monday evening (28 December) regarding developments related to South Africa’s Covid-19 response.
The address follows a meeting on Sunday of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and special sessions today of the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) and Cabinet.
Ramaphosa’s address will be broadcast and streamed on a range of platforms that are accessible to South Africans and international audiences.
The president is expected to announce strict new lockdown restrictions in South Africa as a way of curbing rising infection rates.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TO ADDRESS THE NATION ON DEVELOPMENTS IN SA’S COVID-19 RESPONSE
President @CyrilRamaphosa will address the nation at 20h00 today, Monday 28 December 2020, on developments in relation to the country’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 28, 2020
Bloomberg reported that government is considering reinstating a total ban on liquor sales as the number of Covid-19 infections surge over the summer holiday season, quoting a person familiar with the discussions.
The ban could start on Tuesday (29 December) and last through 10 January 2021, said the person, who requested anonymity because the information is not public and a final decision hasn’t been made.
South Africa had three record-breaking days of infections through 25 December, when it registered 14,796 new cases. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize a day earlier called for stricter measures to curb the spread, which has already battered the economy. The number of confirmed cases in the country passed 1 million on Sunday.
The government’s National Coronavirus Command Council is expected to discuss a potential ban on alcohol, said Lucky Ntimane, convener of the Liquor Traders Formations, which represents liquor outlets.
“We do not think that a total ban on alcohol sales will be a solution either in the short or long term,” the industry group said in a statement.
The coalition of liquor traders proposed curfew measures and alcohol restrictions, if any, that still allow off-premises sales to allow for home consumption. A complete shutdown of liquor sales would mean “an end to the tavern market and the 250,000 direct jobs linked to the sector,” it said.
Liquor companies that operate in South Africa include Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, Diageo Plc and Distell Group Holdings Ltd.
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