South African Breweries has appealed to government to consider allowing for sufficient alcohol sales channels, reasonable trading hours, and specific days as a precaution against mass gatherings to purchase supplies under Level 3 of the COVID-19 lockdown.
SAB says it remains steadfast in its commitment to help reignite the country's economy and protecting the livelihoods of the 250,000 people who depend on its value chain, while simultaneously ensuring that the strictest safety protocols are enforced to safeguard the nation’s health and well-being.
It says the beer economy is a strong engine of economic activity and could play a crucial role in supporting the economy and its recovery.
SAB says it also wants to see that the risk associated with consumption of illegal concoctions and the commercial growth of an illicit alcohol network be minimised.
“We want to be part of the solution, and regard the proposals put forward by the business and the industry as having taken serious consideration to resuscitate our economy as well as ensuring that our customers and retailers remain safe,” SAB corporate affairs vice president Zoleka Lisa said in the statement.
During SAB's numerous engagements with government, as a business and through the industry, the company had put forward several proposals outlining solutions it had considered to ensure that the regulated sale of alcohol was included in level three.
- African News Agency
