Alcohol prohibited with immediate effect, curfew resumes on Monday

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the sale and distribution of alcohol has been suspended with immediate effect.

NOTE: This article is from 12 July 2020 and the information may be outdated.

During an address on Sunday night, Ramaphosa announced that the alcohol ban has been reinstated.

He said the resumption of alcohol sales has resulted in substantial pressure on hospitals.

In addition, he said a curfew would be reinstated, between 9pm and 4am, starting on Monday night.

Ramaphosa said he's concerned that South Africans are downplaying the seriousness of the pandemic.

He said some people are hosting parties, going on 'drinking sprees', attending packed funerals, and walking in public without masks.

We are in the midst of a deadly pandemic and we must act accordingly. We are all required to be responsible.

President Cyril Ramaphosa

The president said South Africa would remain on alert level 3 with stricter enforcement measures.

He announced the following:

• sale, dispensing and distribution of alcohol will be suspended with immediate effect
• curfew is put in place from 9pm to 4am starting on Monday night
• family visits remain prohibited
• parks will be open for exercise
• wearing of masks will be enforced and relevant regulations will be strengthened
• establishments and workplaces are legally responsible for enforcing mask-wearing
• long distance taxis will be limited to 70% capacity, local taxis can load up to 100%

Ramaphosa said the government will be increasing hospital bed capacity as well as ventilators and oxygen supplies for critical care.

They will also be employing more medical practitioners and introducing community-based antibody testing.

WATCH LIVE: Ramaphosa addresses the nation

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