GOVT MIGHT BAN SALE OF ALCOHOL IF ...

MBABANE – Government might reconsider the ban on alcohol sale if found to be the fuelling catalyst in the rise in the number of COVID-19 infections.

Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku said government would, this week, review its containment strategy of the virus and take harsh decisions after considering certain aspects that might be a benchmark towards their decision. He made this statement when responding about government’s stance on the review of its restrictions as neighbouring South Africa has indicated that they would, this week, issue new measures that could include tightening limits on numbers in indoor and outdoor gatherings, strict control of movement, borders being closed and curbing the sale of alcohol. Masuku said he was disheartened to have stumbled on people drinking and walking along the country’s roads not wearing face masks on Christmas Eve. The acting PM said the surge in the number of infections was the primary aspect that would make government to review and issue revised stiffer restrictions considering the state of affairs on the people’s behaviour.

Drinking

“On Christmas Eve, I was driving on one of the country’s roads in the evening and I noticed people walking along the streets drinking and not wearing masks. It is disheartening to note that people are not taking serious the prevalence of the virus as more people are admitted to hospitals each passing day. People must be responsible. Government has set the regulations to guide people’s behaviour and ensure they are safe,” Masuku said. He said there was an outcry when government banned the sale of alcohol, but it has become evident that people were not acting responsibly when drunk.

“If we ban the sale of alcohol, jobs will be lost and government’s economy as well will be affected. But we have to take stiffer decisions to ensure that people comply.We will deal with this matter this week after looking at some aspects considering different opinions from experts on the matter,” he said. Swaziland National Liquor Traders Association (SNLTA) Secretary General Thamsanqa Hlatshwako could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was not available on the network at the time of compiling this report.

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