16 Jul 2020

 Government has lifted restrictions on the sale of traditional brews and liquor.

According to the government gazette, a liquor license shall sell intoxicating liquor as set out in the schedule provided that it shall be sold for home consumption.

It further says where a licensed restaurant under the Trade Act and a bar liquor licensed under the Liquor Act are issued for the same business premises, the bar liquor license shall sell intoxicating liquor for sit-in and a traditional beer licensee shall sell traditional beer as set out in the schedule.

However, a licensee has to satisfy the director of health services, or any person authorised by the director, that he or she is able to comply with directions for the prevention and spread of COVID-19 issued by the director of health services.

The gazette says the bar licensee will operate from Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm. On Saturday and public holidays it will operate from 10am to 4pm.

Bottle store operation times, says the gazette, are Wednesday to Friday from 9am to 5pm while on Saturday and public holiday, the time will move from 10am to 2pm.

It further states that liquor depots will be opened on Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm and that on Saturday and public holiday, they will operate from 10am to 4pm.

Discotheques or nightclubs will open from Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm while on Saturday and public holidays, they will operate from 10am to 4pm.

Liquor distributors and wholesales will both open on Monday to Thursday and public holidays from 8am to 4pm while club liquor will operate from Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm. On Saturday and public holidays they will open from 10am to 4pm.

According to the gazette, restaurant bars and hotels will open daily, including public holidays. They are aligned to the hours of operation of a restaurant, while for traditional beer, they will open from Monday to Saturday and on public holidays from 12 noon to 5pm. ENDS