Alcohol Sales In South Africa: What's The Law?

South Africa has experienced a turbulent time during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the government imposing bans on the sale of alcohol to reduce the burden on the country's healthcare system. The country's drinks industry has been on a rollercoaster ride, with bans imposed, lifted, and imposed again. The sale of alcohol in South Africa has been restricted and allowed at different times during the pandemic, with the government trying to balance the industry's economic impact and job losses with public health and safety.

Alcohol sale restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic

South Africa implemented a national state of disaster in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The country experienced a lockdown, which included a ban on the sale of alcohol. The ban was lifted on 1 June 2020, as the lockdown was downgraded to level 3, but alcohol could only be sold for home consumption. Licensed premises for on-site consumption, such as restaurants and bars, were allowed to sell alcohol from 10 am to 10 pm. However, the sale of alcohol was banned again on 12 July 2020 due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and a shortage of hospital beds.

The ban was lifted for the second time on 17 August 2020, as the lockdown was eased to level 2. The on-site sale and consumption of alcohol within licensed establishments were permitted. Liquor outlets were allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday during the hours of 9 am to 5 pm. The sale of tobacco products was also permitted.

On 1 February 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa partially lifted the ban on the domestic transportation and sale of alcohol beverages from stores, restaurants, and bars. Licensed premises for on-site consumption were permitted to sell alcohol from 10 am to 10 pm, and alcohol could be sold for home consumption from Monday to Thursday only.

In December 2021, President Ramaphosa tightened COVID-19 restrictions, including on alcohol sales. Alcohol sales at retail outlets were restricted to Mondays to Thursdays between 10 am and 6 pm, with immediate effect. On-site consumption of alcohol at licensed establishments was not permitted after 10 pm. The president stated that this decision was necessary to prevent "super-spreader" events and reduce the burden on healthcare services due to irresponsible alcohol consumption.

Alcohol sale timings

Alcohol sales in South Africa have been subject to various restrictions and relaxations over the years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the South African government imposed several bans and restrictions on the sale of alcohol to alleviate the pressure on the country's healthcare system. These measures aimed to prevent alcohol-related harm and injuries, which were contributing to the burden on hospitals during the peak of COVID-19 infections.

In March 2020, South Africa implemented a ban on the domestic sale of alcoholic products. This ban was briefly lifted on April 7 but was reimposed on April 16 and then lifted again on May 1. On June 1, 2020, the lockdown restrictions were eased to level 3, allowing the sale of alcohol for home consumption. However, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases and a shortage of hospital beds, the South African government imposed a second nationwide ban on alcohol sales on July 12, 2020.

The ban was lifted for a second time on August 17, 2020, when South Africa moved to level 2 of the lockdown. During this period, the on-site sale and consumption of alcohol within licensed establishments were permitted. Liquor outlets were allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday, typically between 9 am and 6 pm. Some sources mention that alcohol sales were restricted to Mondays to Thursdays between 10 am and 6 pm.

In December 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa tightened COVID-19 restrictions once again, including those related to alcohol sales. He imposed a curfew and restricted alcohol sales at retail outlets to Mondays through Thursdays between 10 am and 6 pm. On-site consumption of alcohol at licensed establishments was not permitted after 10 pm, and no consumption of alcohol was allowed in public spaces.

In February 2021, President Ramaphosa partially lifted the ban on the domestic sale of alcohol beverages once more. Licensed premises for on-site consumption, such as restaurants and bars, were permitted to sell alcohol from 10 am to 10 pm. Alcohol could be sold for home consumption from Monday to Thursday only, and no alcohol could be sold or served after 10 pm.

While South Africa moved to level 1 of the COVID-19 lockdown, allowing a later curfew and the lifting of most restrictions on alcohol sales, specific timings for alcohol sales on different days of the week were still in place.

Alcohol sale days

Alcohol sales in South Africa have been subject to various restrictions and relaxations since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's lockdown measures, including those related to alcohol sales, have been adjusted over time as the government has sought to balance the health risks associated with the virus and the economic impact of restrictions.

In March 2020, South Africa implemented a nationwide lockdown, which included a ban on the domestic sale of alcoholic products. This ban was briefly lifted on April 7 but was reimposed on April 16. As the country moved to Level 3 of the lockdown on June 1, alcohol sales were once again permitted, but only for home consumption. However, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases and a shortage of hospital beds, the sale of alcohol was banned for a second time on July 12.

On August 17, 2020, as South Africa downgraded to Level 2 of the lockdown, the ban on alcohol sales was lifted again. Licensed establishments were allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday during specific hours, typically between 9 am or 10 am and 6 pm. On-site consumption of alcohol at licensed establishments was permitted under certain conditions, such as adhering to curfew restrictions.

To prevent "super-spreader events" and reduce the burden on healthcare services, President Cyril Ramaphosa imposed tighter restrictions on alcohol sales in December 2020. Retail outlets were restricted to selling alcohol from Mondays to Thursdays between 10 am and 6 pm, with no consumption of alcohol permitted in public spaces.

The impact of these restrictions and bans on South Africa's alcohol industry, including job losses and revenue loss, has been significant. The Beer Association of South Africa has expressed concern about the disruption to the industry and the increase in illegal alcohol trade during the periods of banned alcohol sales.

As South Africa moved from Alert Level 3 to Level 1 in July 2021, President Ramaphosa announced the lifting of almost all restrictions on alcohol sales. Licensed premises were permitted to sell alcohol for on-site consumption throughout the week from 10 am to 10 pm and for off-site consumption from Mondays to Thursdays during specific hours.

Alcohol sale by licensed premises

Alcohol sales in South Africa have been subject to various restrictions and relaxations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sale of alcohol by licensed premises has been a key focus of these measures, with the South African government implementing different rules at different stages of the pandemic.

On June 1, 2020, South Africa moved to Level 3 lockdown, allowing the sale of alcohol by licensed premises for off-site consumption. This decision was made as the country sought to balance economic reopening with controlling the spread of COVID-19. However, as the number of COVID-19 cases increased and pressure mounted on the healthcare system, South Africa banned alcohol sales for a second time on July 12, 2020, during Level 3 lockdown.

On August 17, 2020, as South Africa downgraded to Level 2 lockdown, the government once again allowed the sale of alcohol by licensed premises. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that on-site consumption of alcohol within licensed establishments would be permitted under Level 2. This decision was made in recognition of the adverse economic impact of lockdown on the hospitality industry. Licensed premises were allowed to sell alcohol from 10 am to 10 pm, with restrictions on days of sale varying during different stages of the pandemic.

During the Level 2 lockdown, liquor outlets could sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday, between 9 am and 5 pm. Later, under Alert Level 3, the sale of alcohol by licensed premises for on-site consumption was permitted throughout the week from 10 am to 10 pm. However, during this period, some sources indicate that only off-site sales were allowed from Monday to Thursday, with no alcohol sold or served after 10 pm.

As South Africa moved to Level 1 of the COVID-19 lockdown, President Ramaphosa announced that almost all restrictions on alcohol sales were lifted. Licensed premises, including bars, clubs, restaurants, and liquor stores, were required to close at 6 pm on weekdays and Saturdays and at 1 pm on Sundays and public holidays.

The dynamic nature of the pandemic and its impact on the healthcare system and the economy influenced the South African government's decisions regarding alcohol sales by licensed premises. These measures were adjusted periodically to address the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Alcohol sale and the economy

Alcohol sales are a significant contributor to South Africa's economy, with the drinks industry providing jobs for many. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African government imposed several bans on the sale of alcohol to reduce the burden on the country's healthcare system.

The first ban was implemented on 26 March 2020, prohibiting the domestic sale of alcoholic products and all wine exports. The ban was lifted on 1 May, but only briefly, as it was imposed again on 16 April. This back-and-forth continued throughout 2020, with the sale of alcohol being banned and unbanned multiple times.

These bans had a significant impact on the economy. The South African drinks industry suffered immense losses in revenue, with some sources estimating a loss of R18 billion (£852 million) in July 2020 alone. The government also lost several billion rands worth of excise tax, and it is estimated that 18,000 jobs were lost.

The Beer Association of South Africa expressed concern over the large number of job losses in the industry and the disruption to the normal industry market order caused by the increasing illegal trade. Before the pandemic, 24% of the alcohol consumed by South Africans was purchased from illegal liquor dealers, costing the legal liquor industry 12.9 billion South African rand annually.

Despite the economic impact, the South African government continued to impose bans on alcohol sales throughout the pandemic, citing the need to prevent "super-spreader events" and reduce the pressure on healthcare services caused by irresponsible alcohol consumption.

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