Silindile Gumede

While the ban on alcohol and tobacco sales was lifted in favour of South Africa’s shrinking economy, concerns continue to grow amongst the society.

On Tuesday the restrictions on the sale of liquor and cigarettes was lifted, after numerous pleas from various organisations and politicians. However, some people are worried the government might have made the wrong decision.

Nqobile Mkatini, a resident in Inanda, said the lifting of the ban in alcohol and tobacco sales is a very bad decision that can lead to people getting too excited and forgetting that we are facing a pandemic.

“The sale on these substances shouldn’t have been permitted because people will lose focus and forget that we are supposed to be adhering to certain regulations to slow down the spread of the virus,” she said.

“The availability of alcohol will cause major difficulties leading to alcohol-related injuries and road accidents that will cause flooding of hospitals and shortages of beds for Covid-19 patients, it seems like we’ll be going back to level 5 after all,” added Mkatini.

Initially, the banning of alcohol was to reduce alcohol-related injuries in hospitals to allow healthcare workers to focus solely on Covid-19. Tobacco products was banned because of the effects it has as well as vulnerability and exposure to the virus.

Nhlanhla Ndimande, a nurse at Marianridge clinic in Pinetown, said the lifting of the ban is a major challenge in healthcare facilities.

“This decision to lift the ban will cause major disruptions, hospitals and clinics will now be filled with alcohol-related injuries, shifting the healthcare workers’ focus away from Covid-19 patients. We are in a pandemic and one’s main focus should be on fighting this virus,” he said.

Picture: heartland (www.heartland.org)