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Alcohol vs COVID-19: The protective measures being put in place

Alcohol vs COVID-19:

The protective measures being put in place

“We call upon all travellers, especially those who are unvaccinated or partly vaccinated coming from areas declared hotspots, to get vaccinated before hitting the roads to protect their families and friends they will be visiting during this period associated with large social gatherings like parties and weddings, which can be ‘super spreader’ events that carry a huge risk of transmission of the virus”, said the Honourable Minister Phaahla in a December statement.

Amidst a push to get more of the adult population vaccinated, South African scientists identified a new variant that has seen cases rise and borders close. Questions have been raised about restrictions within the country, with many wondering if it may be time for the National Corona Command Council (NCCC) to recommend moving the nation to a higher lockdown level. The recommendations on alcohol have previously been based on how the health system is coping with non-COVID patients. In 2020, at the height of liquor restrictions, hospitals were seeing a sixty to seventy percent drop in admissions and visits in their trauma units.

“In general, alcohol use is expected to reduce adherence to non-pharmacological methods of reducing the transmission of SARS CoV 2 such as physical distancing, hand sanitation and use of masks within the social setting. In addition, hospitals are considered high risk areas for exposure to COVID.

By limiting alcohol-related hospital visits/admissions we are limiting exposure to and transmission of SARS CoV 2,” reads a report from 2020 by the Health Department.

CURRENT REGULATIONS

The current regulations, as they apply to alcohol consumption and social gatherings:

• Restaurants, bars, shebeens and taverns must close by 11PM.

• Venues cannot have more than 750 people indoors

• Outdoor venues can have up to 2000 people with social distancing of one and a half metres

• If the venue is too small to hold 750 indoors, or 2000 outdoors, then no more than fifty percent of the capacity may be used.

• Owners are liable to a fine or imprisonment for not adhering to regulations.

• People who go to venues knowing restrictions are not being followed are also liable.

• Night clubs are closed to the public. Owners and managers are liable for violations.

• The sale and transportation of liquor is permitted within curfew restrictions.

PROHIBITION AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES

While the Omnicron variant is spreading rapidly, the mortality rate has not been as high as expected, so a hard ban is unlikely.

Recommendations, using evidence-based strategies from the World Health Organisation, have already been set out. Some are short-term approaches, others are long-term. n

STRATEGY

Limit Availability

Limit off-consumption times for outlets with off-consumption licenses (Tue-Thu: 09:00-17:00) #

Limit purchase amounts to reduce consumption and stop sales to unlicensed outlets (e.g. equivalent of 48 or 72 standard drinks) * # ~

Industry to reduce manufacturing to 70% of capacity -- perhaps close some breweries

No off-sales by on-consumption outlets (or any unlicensed outlet) –reduce availability significantly.

Reduce BAC level for drivers to 0.02g AA/100ml blood or less

Test blood alcohol after serious motor vehicle collisions

Action against public drinking illegal drinking at on-consumption outlets, licensed and unlicensed

Drink driving counter measures & policing of public & illegal drinking

Advertising and packaging

Only permit advertising factual information about product (not lifestyle) & only at point of sale. No specials on bulk purchases.

Ban sale of large containers which encourage excessive drinking e.g. limit to 500ml beer and cider, 750ml wine and 750ml spirits

Point-of-production to point-of-sale system by industry to track products back to source of supply and stop sales to unlicensed outlets ^

4 days to 3 will further reduce relatively painlessly for consumers.

Industry creates ID-based system linked to national database. Limit how much can be transported by individuals without licenses.

Reduces alcohol availability and incentive to sell more. Avoids stopping production altogether.

Of 90 000 licensed liquor outlets, 25 000 are off-consumption and 65 000 on consumption.

Fast-track Road Traffic Amendment Bill 1 currently on Parliamentary 2020 agenda.

Improve systems and turn-around times.

Accompanied by visible awareness-raising campaign

Include ban on ‘responsible drinking’ ads because generally done by reinforcing the ‘lifestyle’ aspects of alcohol consumption. 2

SAMRC research shows larger containers linked to higher consumption; stops sharing from same container; increases price so reduces consumption

This worked in Russia3 - action is possible against unlicensed seller and licensed supplier who sold the alcohol to them.

Same as current. Mitigate by monitoring, enforcement, suspension of licenses, etc.

All traders to use the system to prevent people buying small amounts from multiple outlets.

Persuading industry. Monitoring compliance

Economic hardship. Mitigate by supporting esp. licensed small subsistence outlets

Same as current, though easier to enforce

Requires policing & judicial response

Requires policing & judicial response

Resistance from alcohol industry and advertising industry

Resistance from industry and consumers

Resistance from industry

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