South Africa has enforced a second ban on the sale and distribution of alcohol to control the spread of coronavirus. The country also imposed a night-time curfew to reduce traffic accidents and made it compulsory for all residents to wear face masks in public. The night-time ban would be in place from 9 pm to 4 am.
In an address to the public, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that since the reintroduction of alcohol sales in June, hospitals have experienced a spike in emergency ward admissions.
Face coverings have also been declared mandatory for transport operators, employers, and owners of businesses and buildings. The company officials are legally obliged to ensure everyone entering their businesses or premises are wearing masks.
The president has also criticized citizens who acted irresponsibly when the country is going through a tough time. He said many people continued to have social gatherings, including parties and overcrowded funerals amid the rapid increase of COVID-19 infections in the country.
“In the midst of our national effort to fight against this virus there are a number of people who have taken to organising parties, who have drinking sprees, and some who walk around in crowded spaces without masks,” he said.
The government has made available almost 28,000 hospital beds for Covid-19 patients. However President Ramaphosa said the country still in need of 12,000 healthcare workers including nurses, doctors and physiotherapists.
