It could be months before Mzansi citizens may be able to step into a store and legally buy alcohol or tobacco if a tweet by the government is anything to go by.
According to government, the bans on these products will remain in place throughout the lockdown period and at this stage, with over 380,000 positives recorded, there’s no telling when lockdown will be declared over.
“The ban on the sale of alcohol and cigarette will remain in place throughout the lockdown period. The purpose is to save lives and protect the health and well-being of our people,” the account tweeted.
“This statement contradicts government’s previous position on this issue, with inter alia President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Jackson Mthembu both stating on a number of occasions publicly that it was only a matter of time before the ban on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products was lifted,” the association said in a statement released on Wednesday.
“The statement issued today by government creates the impression that the government has no intention of lifting the ban on the sale of cigarettes under any level during the lockdown period.
The @GovernmentZA tweet later responded and wrote ” This decision may be reviewed at any time by the relevant structures should the conditions which necessitated it change. We regret any confusion the tweet has caused.”
Cigarettes have been banned since lockdown was first declared in March, while there was a brief reprieve for alcohol when the ban on sales was lifted in June and then imposed again in July.
ALARMED. CONCERNED EVEN: Don’t even know what the story is apha. But, can’t help but be alarmed when u see so many converge in this COVID-19 climate. NQADANI!!!
I POST MINDFUL that this may earn me an enemy or Two, but ke… COVID!!! #COVID19 #cigaretteban pic.twitter.com/Rlo9dvZZBo— U-Naba ndikwenze… (@mr_binqose) July 22, 2020
Taxi drivers know how to deal with government, that’s my 2 cents restaurants can complain , SAB can complain but the taxi drivers took action they reminded government that this is not South Korea this is democratic country that has a constitution #CigaretteBan pic.twitter.com/MQuAPSha0b
— Cee Jay (@PovertySlayer) July 22, 2020
Kanti there’s still a smoking ban? The only smokers I don’t see is hub smokers. pic.twitter.com/fKZH3jBWxI
— Snwapz (@Snwapz1) July 22, 2020
This #CigaretteBan is stupid, people smoke everyday pic.twitter.com/SKWaLzHRAa
— Matlhotja🇿🇦 (@asenatho_limper) July 22, 2020
In Other News – Maskandi singer Mthandeni Manqele goes for HIV tests, reveals results
The maskandi artist said on Facebook: “Due to my illness I had to do a full body checkup and today I am glad to announce that I’ve been cleared.”
He said he was 100% clean and HIV negative. I’m actually healthier than I thought. He encouraged his fellow colleagues in the entertainment industry to visit their local clinics or health care centres and do HIV test. continue reading
Source – EWN