Cape Town – Police combed Long Street at the weekend for liquor establishments and revellers not complying with new regulations aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19.
Police Minister Bheki Cele last week announced that restaurants, hotels and grocery stores with licences to sell liquor were expected to adhere to strict operating times and should close before 6pm on weekdays and 1pm on weekends, but may operate beyond those hours to sell and/or serve food with absolutely no liquor.
Cele said a condition for staying open after the deadline was that facilities accommodate only 50 people or less, including staff.
Spokesperson for the Long Street Association Randolf Jorberg said: “They didn’t have to close any business because they were already closed.
"We are complying because our customers come first,” he said.
He said businesses would stick to the regulations but the outbreak had left them vulnerable.
Police Ministry acting spokesperson Mathapelo Peters said they had noted with appreciation the “overwhelmingly positive” response in terms of the public adhering to the Covid-19 disaster management regulations. He said most businesses had been compliant.
City executive director of safety and security Richard Bosman said Law Enforcement and Metro police supported the SAPS in operations to ensure that the venues that sold alcohol abided by the new rules.