The immediate opening of shops selling alcohol. People who love drinking alcohol worldwide are not happy with the governments because of the ban on selling alcohol which was introduced to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
BBC quoted “When coronavirus can be removed by washing hands with alcohol, then drinking alcohol will surely remove the virus from the throat,” said Bharat Singh, a senior member of the Congress Party in Rajasthan state.
World Health Organization (WHO)tells us that :
Alcohol is known to be harmful to health in general, and is well understood to increase the risk of injury and violence, including intimate partner violence, and can cause alcohol poisoning. At times of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol consumption can exacerbate health vulnerability, risk-taking behaviours, mental health issues and violence. WHO/Europe reminds people that drinking alcohol does not protect them from COVID-19, and encourages governments to enforce measures which limit alcohol consumption.
Busting myths on alcohol and COVID-19
As part of its public health response to COVID-19, WHO has worked with partners to develop a factsheet which addresses myths and provides guidance during the pandemic: “Alcohol and COVID-19: what you need to know”.
Fear and misinformation have generated a dangerous myth that consuming high-strength alcohol can kill the COVID-19 virus. It does not. Consuming any alcohol poses health risks, but consuming high-strength ethyl alcohol (ethanol), particularly if it has been adulterated with methanol, can result in severe health consequences, including death.
Alcohol consumption is associated with a range of communicable and noncommunicable diseases and mental health disorders, which can make a person more vulnerable to COVID-19. In particular, alcohol compromises the body’s immune system and increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. Therefore, people should minimize their alcohol consumption at any time, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is associated with mental disorders; people at risk or who have an alcohol-use disorder, are particularly vulnerable, especially when in self-isolation. Medical and treatment services need to be alert and ready to respond to any person in need.
SAB’s push for immediate opening of shops selling alcohol in South Africa
“We have submitted our proposal to the National Command Council for alcohol to be sold under lockdown Level 4, with conditions. We are engaging them on the matter, and we do hope that we will reach common ground on the matter, sooner rather than later.
“We know from experience that any regulatory measures that interfere with the normal trade of the alcohol market will result in a growth in the illicit trade, so we were very apprehensive from the outset when a ban was announced.”
“Also, South Africa has a fully functional illicit alcohol market which is ready to capitalise on any ban implemented. Apart from the imminent negative impact on the market, a ban on sales would have a severe impact on our business as well,” Ndlovu SAB’s director of regulatory and public policy said .
“Our entire supply chain has been affected by the alcohol ban. SAB’s value chain is wide-reaching and incorporates a total of 3 739 suppliers, of which 1 345 are SMMEs, supporting in excess of 140 000 jobs. In addition, our business sources agricultural inputs from more than 1 277 farmers, of which 757 are emerging farmers.
“The longer we are unable to operate, the bigger the ripple effect. Our products are purchased by a staggering 34 000 wholesalers and retailers, of which the vast majority are SMMEs. We estimate that these wholesalers and retailers support at least 250 000 jobs on their own, many of these being part-time, short term or temporary workers,” Ndlovu said.
People attacks Bheki Cele because of alcohol ban
