- Title: South Africa reimposes alcohol ban, curfew as coronavirus cases spike
- Date: 13th July 2020
- Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JULY 13, 2020) (REUTERS) SIGN FOR ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR STORE EXTERIOR OF LIQUOR STOREFRONT, SHUTTERS CLOSED SHUTTER ON STOREFRONT CLOSED LIQUOR STORES SIGNS ON CLOSED LIQUOR STORE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC AND PEOPLE IN STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) RESIDENT, KARABO LEBELO, SAYING; "Right now I'm hungry I don't have anything to eat. I have no idea what to do since they have closed alcohol. So the question is, for people like us the bartenders what can we do for us to live?, that's all I wanna know. I have no problem with whatever they saying they must do for the country to survive, it's fine but for us to eat to survive what must we do." PEOPLE WALKING IN STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) RESIDENT, SHADRACK MOTAU, SAYING; "He is justified, at least I'm proud of him that he actually immediately suspended the sale of liquor because it's being abused." CLOSED LIQUOR STORE
- Embargoed: 27th July 2020 12:07
- Keywords: COVID-19. Cyril Ramaphosa South Africa alcohol ban coroanvirus
- Location: PRETORIA AND JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
- City: PRETORIA AND JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA006CMN7R5Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: South Africa reimposed a ban on the sale of alcohol and a nighttime curfew on Monday (July 13) to reduce pressure on its hospitals as coronavirus infections rise rapidly.
President Cyril Ramaphosa government imposed one of the strictest lockdowns in the world in late March and delayed a surge in infections, but has since eased many restrictions over fears for its struggling economy.
South Africa has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa and is now recording the fourth-largest daily increase in new cases worldwide.
Ramaphosa said in a televised address on Sunday (July 12) that the country could not afford for its hospitals and clinics to be burdened with avoidable alcohol-related injuries.
The nighttime curfew will last from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., taking affect from Monday, apart from for those travelling to or from work or seeking medical help.
The health ministry reported 12,058 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing the total to 276,242. Deaths rose by 108 to 4,079.
(Production: Shafiek Tassiem, Siyabonga Sishi, Matthew Stock, Aiden Nulty) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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