POLOKWANE – The aim is to establish herd immunity as soon as possible, to proactively manage the expected fourth Covid-19 wave and to prevent more job losses.
This is in short the Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s rationale behind her ‘no vaccine, no alcohol’ approach in which she is looking to prevent unvaccinated Limpopo citizens from buying liquor or visiting shebeens and taverns.
“If we don’t get the vaccination numbers up we won’t reach herd immunity and might face another alcohol ban which will cripple the industry. But if the industry works with us to motivate people to vaccinate, we have a better chance of reaching herd immunity.”
Her department has engaged several industries in this regard.
“We are open to any solutions that will increase the numbers. Anyone who has a suggestion on motivating people to vaccinate must engage us.”
The Premier, Chupu Mathabatha is on record to support the MEC’s proposition, which has drawn criticism from various role players.
Polokwane Observer spoke to local liquor store owners, all of whom are of the view that in an industry that has already been hit hard given the lockdown phases and regulations, the chances of losing customers will be the final nail in the coffin.
“What would stop vaccinated people from buying for the unvaccinated ones? As owner, I would just be angering my loyal customers who will then stop buying from me altogether,” one man said.
Another owner said the proposition would mean the end for his business.
“I personally intend to not vaccinate so who am I to prescribe to others? As things are, we are already struggling to pay our staff and stay afloat. Doing this would mean suffering an even bigger loss.”
He feels there are other solutions to encourage residents to vaccinate.
Nicholas Crisp, the deputy director-general for the national department was quoted as saying that he was not aware of the proposal by Ramathuba, but that everyone is looking for a plan to get people to vaccinate.
A local attorney, Franco Marx says although he is not aware of any legislation that would oblige a person to vaccinate, in terms of the Constitution each person has at least the right to human dignity, to life and to freedom of belief and opinion.
“The Bill of Rights (Section 9) states that the state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against a person’s conscience and belief. There are numerous persons who truly believe that the vaccine is not good for them and I think those people may argue that they are being discriminated against. Personally, I already went for my first jab and trust it is the right thing to do, but I think the state must respect the choices of those who opt not to vaccinate,” he said.
