The authorities of the Republic of South Africa (South Africa) have decided to ban the sale of alcohol and close bars due to the increase in the number of coronavirus infections. This was stated by President Cyril Ramaphosa, reports The Guardian newspaper .
The measures taken include the closure of beaches and public swimming pools at the epicenters of the spread of the virus, as well as the extension of the curfew. Now citizens are required to stay at home from 21:00 to 06:00. The measures will be in effect until January 15.
Ramaphosa explained the decision of the authorities by the fact that drinking alcohol leads to the fact that citizens behave recklessly and cease to comply with epidemiological measures. This, in turn, leads to an increase in the number of infections. “Alcohol-related accidents and violence are also putting additional strain on the emergency departments in our hospitals,” he added.
In mid-December in South Africa discovered a new mutation of the coronavirus. The country’s health minister stressed that the second wave of coronavirus in the country is probably associated with this particular mutation of the disease.