For over 6 weeks, South Africa has made the domestic sale of alcohol and tobacco illegal nationwide as part of it’s public health strategy against Covid-19.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended lockdown rules imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus as some citizens grow increasingly irked over some of the toughest lockdown restrictions worldwide.
A nationwide lockdown, implemented on March 25, still only allows most citizens to leave their homes only to buy food, seek medical care and collect welfare grants. While the rules were eased this month – including the gradual reopening of some economic sectors – bans on the sale of alcohol, tobacco and many other products were retained, a night-time curfew was imposed and outdoor exercise was restricted to a three-hour morning window.
National Treasury is anticipating further job losses, tax losses and a contracting economy.
“We have to move quickly to get the economy back to normal, but also take into account that we have to contain the impact of the virus,” Dondo Mogajane, the National Treasury’s director-general, said.
A ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products has already led to an tax under-recovery of more than 1.5 billion rand (approximately $90 million) last month alone, said Edward Kieswetter, the commissioner of the South African Revenue Service.
Do the benefits of the ban – for health and society – outweigh the costs as well as restrictions on citizens’ individual liberties? Reporter Marc Daniel Davies investigates.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2TwO8Gm
QUICKTAKE ON SOCIAL:
Follow QuickTake on Twitter: twitter.com/quicktake
Like QuickTake on Facebook: facebook.com/quicktake
Follow QuickTake on Instagram: instagram.com/quicktake
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJ0oQZ
Email us at quicktakenews@gmail.com
QuickTake by Bloomberg is a global news network delivering up-to-the-minute analysis on the biggest news, trends and ideas for a new generation of leaders.