SA coronavirus lockdown: No you can’t buy cigarettes

The ban on the sale of cigarettes has not been lifted, as it is not an essential item, police have confirmed. On Sunday evening various online publications quoted national police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo as saying people were allowed to buy cigarettes as long as they were bought in conjunction with other goods.

However, Naidoo reiterated on Monday cigarettes were not listed as essential items and people were only permitted to leave their homes to purchase groceries, seek medical help, buy medication and collect their social grants.

Four days ago Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel said the sale of cigarettes during the 21-day lockdown would be prohibited. Patel said the regulations had been developed based on a health assessment, as had also been indicated by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosanzana Dlamini-Zuma.

“We have a 21-day lockdown, it’s not a year, it’s not two years. It’s a 21-day lockdown to try to see if we can contain this,” Patel said.

“On the items that people can buy, obviously we wanted to keep the list as short and simple as possible so that we can do a quick turnaround at shops so that people spend the minimum amount of time there, and travel as infrequently to the shops as possible. Cigarettes is not basic good.

In other news – Actress Nolo Phiri fired from Muvhango – She was caught cheating on her Boss

Sultry actress Lehlogonolo “Nolo” Phiri has lost her job as an associate producer in SABC2 soapie Muvhango for allegedly securing a role at a rival production without the knowledge of her boss Duma Ndlovu.

Phiri, who worked closely with Ndlovu on the show, was removed from her position about two weeks ago after she allegedly auditioned for a role in Mzansi Magic drama series Isibaya without his permission. Read more

Source: IOL