Thirsty customers line up outside liquor outlets
Springs residents were in no hurry to stock up when bottle stores reopened on Monday.
Customers braved the cold on Monday morning as they lined up outside liquor outlets.
Monday was the first day liquor sales were allowed since the start of the lockdown in March.
At TOPS at SPAR in Strubenvale, only a handful of customers were allowed into the store at a time after they had their hands sanitised and their temperatures measured.
One customer says: “I am glad they are controlling the people and I hope everyone gets what they need.”
At Springs Mall, barricades were set up to control the number of people allowed in, and these customers also had their hands sanitised and their temperatures taken.
Some customers walked out carrying a couple of bags, while others walked out with full trolleys.
In Selcourt, customers were also buying moderate amounts of alcohol.
“There’s no need for customers to bulk-buy.
“We’re getting deliveries every day, so there’s enough stock.
“So far, customers have been behaving and have adhered to the social distancing rules,” says Helen Raftopoulos, manager at TOPS Selcourt.
There is no limit in the store as to how much alcohol each customer can buy.
Masks are mandatory and only 15 customers are allowed into the store at a time, with one-way traffic in the aisles to control their movement.
The store is also sanitising the counters, speedpoint machines and trolleys after every customer.
Every Tuesday, the liquor stores and SPAR are deep cleaned overnight as an extra precaution to keep their customers safe.
Raftopoulos says they were glad to finally open.
“During the lockdown, our staff worked in the SPAR next door, and it was fairly busy, so we were lucky,” says Raftopoulos.
Springs police spokesperson Capt Johannes Ramphora says they didn’t encounter any problems at the liquor outlets throughout the day.
“We’re only worried about the after-effects of the consumption of alcohol,” says Ramphora.
All liquor outlets will be open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday as set out by the government.
Also read: Schools set to welcomes Grades 7 and 12
Follow us on our social media platforms:
