South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced a new range of restrictions on COVID-19, including the closure of bars and the re-imposition of a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Medical experts are warning that the country’s health system is at risk of becoming overwhelmed due to the increase in coronavirus cases, along with those who need urgent care due to alcohol incidents. A new, more infectious strain of coronavirus has recently been detected in South Africa, which has caused many countries to limit or ban travel to and from the country.
According to an Associated Press report, South Africa saw a drop of up to 60% in trauma cases in hospitals following a previous ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in April and May, a number that started to increase when the ban was lifted. suspended.
Angelique Coetzee, president of the South African Medical Association, told the AP: “To relieve pressure on the system during this time of year, where we only have minimal staff working, especially in the public sector, as well as in the private sector, we are asking for restrictions stricter in relation to 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 sales of alcoholic beverages.
In addition to banning the sale of alcoholic beverages, the new restrictions included the closure of all beaches and public pools at infectious spots, as well as an extension of the curfew, reports the AP. Residents must now be home from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am
Masks are now mandatory in public spaces, Ramaphosa said, with those caught violating the mandate subject to a fine or even a criminal charge that could lead to imprisonment.
South Africa surpassed 1 million cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and has so far confirmed more than 26,000 deaths due to the virus.