Rofhiwa Marubini 



The Gauteng Provincial Government has appealed to
residents to continue drinking responsibly following the unbanning of alcohol two
weeks ago, under lockdown level 2.
The unbanning of the sale of alcohol has been welcomed
in restoring the economy. However, government has warned that alcohol abuse and
intoxication was a scourge in society and a burden on the health system as the
country continue to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
According
to government regulations, alcohol-trading establishments can only operate with
a maximum of 50 people at a time.
A 1,5m
distance among the customers, the sanitisation of surfaces and the washing of
hands and the wearing of masks are among the stipulated regulations. 
The
sales of liquor by licensed outlets are now allowed to sell alcohol for
off-site consumptions from Monday to Thursday during the hours of 9am to 5pm.
Liquor
stores are closed on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays, bars and taverns
are permitted to operate according to approved protocols and times of operation
of up until the curfew of 22:00 over the weekend. 
The Centre for Disease Control has warned that there
is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being
exposed to the virus.
When out drinking, remember that the virus is spread
mainly from person-to-person. Thereby making it dangerous for people to drink
publicly as most will be in close contact with friends while enjoying their
drinks.  
Coronavirus can be contracted through respiratory
droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of
people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It is therefore
important for people to avoid this behaviour by keeping a distance from people
in public spaces.​​