In addition to the further easing of the lockdown, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 24 May that the sale of alcohol will be permitted from 1 June.
While the sale of alcohol will only be permitted for private consumption, at certain times and on particular days (yet to be outline by the Command Council), social media users shared their thoughts on this new addition to the regulations.
Many users remained concerned that the lift on the ban of alcohol sales may be too premature:
Seems of all the level 3 regulations, lifting of alcohol ban is the only thing we heared
— Ernest Moswele (@ErnestMoswele) May 25, 2020
It’s so worrying to see the amount of unemployed youth and with no source of income celebrating so much for lifting of alcohol ban
— Eugene Mokotong (@mokotongeug) May 25, 2020
Why is alcohol unbanned when the gender based violenced has increased. The resoning to ban it in the first place was based on this reason. And it also lowers your immune system? Yet cigarettes are still ban with no direct link to covid#cyrilramaphosa wtf #Corruption
— Q (@theequirkygirl) May 24, 2020
Half the people that are celebrating the lifting of the alcohol ban don't even have the funds to purchase the alcohol, let's not even speak about jobs. Just yesterday people were applying for 350 grants crying about hunger. Priorities @CyrilRamaphosa @MbuyiseniNdlozi #level3
— Nokwanda Sandy (@nokilicious) May 24, 2020
The way people are celebrating the relaxation of the alcohol ban in #SouthAfricaLockdown is worrying..
— Legendary (@geshom12) May 24, 2020
Others remained sceptical, noting that it may be a little too early to celebrate as Co-operative Governance and Tradition Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has yet to outline the regulations:
I see ALCOHOL WILL BE SOLD is trending & people are happy but Minister Dr NDZ spoken yet. pic.twitter.com/WbllsYcsOn
— Ask Malume???????? (@AskMalume) May 24, 2020
Don't celebrate as yet, before you know it things can take another turn so wait until you hear from #nkosazanadlaminizuma ???????? pic.twitter.com/1SoixYP1Zk
— Thopzano_Ravanna???????? (@ThopzanoR) May 24, 2020
NDZ is coming with the VAR #Level3Lockdown
— Celumusa Xaba (@MninzER) May 25, 2020
Ramaphosa: The sale of alcohol will be open
NDZ: But also…. pic.twitter.com/0qghxtIQSy
— Erence_Makwela (@Prof_Erence) May 25, 2020
Im waiting for NDZ to say "you have been schucksed." This alcohol madness will bring a disaster. pic.twitter.com/hB1L4jck1K
— Jason (@Jasondux305) May 25, 2020
Ill only start celebrating on the 1st of June once i c that bottle store opened i dnt trust NDZ ???? #lockDownSouthAfrica #level3 #COVID19 #SaleOfAlcohol pic.twitter.com/rXlywavzP0
— Mpho (@djnostress82) May 24, 2020
How NDZ be looking at everyone who thinks Alcohol will be sold during level 3 #cyrilramaphosa pic.twitter.com/8sxGAFv8oG
— L W A M I N A T H Y (@Lwaminathy) May 24, 2020
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