South Africa sought to revive its stuttering economy on Monday with the partial lifting of a coronavirus lockdown. Alcohol producer Distell urged consumers not to panic buy. Liquor sales resumed on Monday, but for home consumption only.
The sale of alcohol will be allowed from 9 am to 5 pm from Mondays to Thursdays. Some consumers started queueing at 3am on Monday morning at liquor stores around the country.
#LockdownLevel3 Liquor traders in Durban stocking up at Liberty Liquors (Queen Street). Alcohol sale is allowed under #level3lockdown Monday – Thursday (09h00 – 17h00). Strick regulations of social distancing, masks and sanitisers should be enforced at all times. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/ajO5H97EdD
— Siphamandla Goge (@SiphamandlaGoge) June 1, 2020
Under Level 3, people have started working, worshipping or shopping. Level 3 also allows mines and factories to run at full capacity. President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered a strict lockdown at the end of March. He announced that the country will move to Level 3 on 24 May. The rand was trading 0.74 per cent up against the dollar at 7.50 am after the easing of restrictions.
Although schools were ordered to open on Monday for Grade 7 and Grade 12 pupils, unions urged teachers and other staff to stay away, saying they were not equipped to keep employees and pupils safe. The education ministry backed down on Sunday, saying pupils would now return on 8 June. Teachers will report this week for training and to receive protective gear.
“We have heard them (the teachers’ unions) … and are taking steps to address their concerns,” Ramaphosa said. Coronavirus Hotline Number: 0800 029 999 from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Help protect your loved ones by sharing this official South African government COVID-19 service with your family, friends and community.
Send HI to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp. The NICD has another Clinician Hotline to improve #COVID19 communication and support for healthcare providers. The Clinician Hotline is 0800 11 1131, operating 24 hrs. The Public Hotline is 0800 029 999 also operating 24hrs.
In other news – Sophie Lichaba says her diabetes makes her vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic
After a recent visit to hospital due to high sugar levels, veteran actress Sophie Ndaba is grateful to be alive, especially because diabetes makes her high risk during the Covid-19 pandemic. The star has been candid about her struggles with diabetes, which has led to weight loss and death rumours. Sophie has been extra-cautious as the coronavirus continues to spread, and took to Instagram on Sunday to share her gratitude for life and “constant restoration. Read more
Source: eNCA
