Pubs, bars, and restaurants to be closed by 18:00 in South Africa
As coronavirus cases rise in South Africa, the government is calling on pubs, bars, and restaurants to be closed at 18:00.
On Wednesday, the government implemented new guidelines regarding pubs, bars, and restaurants after President Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster.
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With immediate effect, all bars, clubs, shebeens, and restaurants that sell liquor must close at 18:00 on weekdays and Saturdays.
On Sundays and public holidays, all must be closed by 13:00.
"Those that serve liquor, whether you are a shebeen or tavern, must make sure they do not exceed the number of 50 patrons at a time. And they have agreed that the distribution and consumption of liquor weekdays shall be ended at 18:00. Saturdays and Sundays the bottle stores will adhere to their normal working time of 13:00," Ramaphosa said, according to Jacaranda FM News.
"Who will police that? I'm not sure what they want to accomplish. You can still get drunk before 18:00. Or do they just want us to be home earlier?" Martin Bester questioned.
"I would like them to focus on something much bigger. There are other issues we need to focus on now," Liesl Laurie said.
Does it make a difference? Is this the way to go?