South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa laid out the government’s plans on Sunday, 12 July, to help ease the burden on healthcare facilities as the country enters the coronavirus storm.

With this, the sale, dispensing and distribution of alcohol is suspended with immediate effect.

In order to conserve hospital capacity, the sale, dispensing and distribution of alcohol will be suspended with immediate effect.

There is clear evidence that the resumption of alcohol sales has resulted in substantial pressure being put on hospitals, including trauma and ICU units, due to motor vehicle accidents, violence and related trauma.

Most of these and other trauma injuries occur at night.

Therefore, as an additional measures to reduce the pressure on hospitals, a curfew will be put in place between the hours of 9 pm and 4 am.

Apart from people who need to travel to and from work or who need to seek urgent medical or other assistance during this time, everyone will be required to remain at home. 

The curfew will take effect from tomorrow, Monday, 13 July 2020 at 9 pm.