South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced a new set of restrictions on COVID-19, including the closure of bars and the reinstatement of a ban on alcohol sales.
Medical experts warn that the country’s health system is at risk of being overwhelmed by the increase in coronavirus cases along with those in need of urgent care due to alcohol-related incidents. Recently, a new, more infectious strain of coronavirus has been detected in South Africa, which has led many countries to limit or ban travel to and from the country.
According to a report by The Associated Press, South Africa saw a drop of up to 60% in hospital trauma cases after a previous ban on alcohol sales in April and May, a number that began to rise when the ban was raised.
Angelique Coetzee, president of the South African Medical Association, told the PA: “To ease the pressure on the system at this time of year, where we only have skeletal staff working, especially in the public and private sectors, we call for stricter restrictions on social gatherings. “
The AP notes that South Africa’s alcohol industry has been one of the hardest hit and many alcohol traders have called on the government to try to avoid a total ban on alcohol sales.
In addition to banning the sale of alcoholic beverages, the new restrictions include the closure of all beaches and public swimming pools in infectious hot spots, as well as an extension of its coverage, reports AP. Residents must now be home between 9pm and 6am
Masks are now mandatory in public spaces, Ramaphosa said, with those caught violating the warrant being fined or even charged with imprisonment.
South Africa exceeded 1 million COVID-19 cases on Sunday and has so far confirmed more than 26,000 deaths from the virus.