PRETORIA – The Ministries of Police and Tourism have, over the\nfirst weekend after the gazetting of the COVID-19 Disaster Management\nRegulations, identified and acknowledged the urgent need to simplify the\ninterpretation and implementation of the Regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Saturday morning, 21 March 2020, Police Minister, General Bheki\nCele, the Minister of Tourism Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, and Gauteng MEC for\nCommunity Safety, Ms Faith Mazibuko met with the National and Gauteng\nmanagement of the SAPS, Senior Management of Tourism, and Gauteng Chiefs of\nMetro Police Departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response to queries and the need for clarification from various\nindustries and stakeholders, the engagement led by the two Ministers simplified\nthe interpretation and implementation of the Regulations as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GATHERING (as defined in the COVID-19 Regulations)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No more than one hundred (100) people shall be allowed to gather\nat any point in time. Failure to adhere to this restriction can see police do\nthe following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 \norder the immediate dispersal of the gathering;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 \ntake appropriate action against the organiser\/host\/manager which may result in\na fine, an arrest or both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SALE AND DISPENSING OF LIQUOR<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The public is advised that the sale of liquor is only permitted\nbetween 09h00 and 18h00 on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays and Public\nHolidays, the hours are 09h00 to 13h00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It must be noted that with this Saturday being a public holiday\n(Human Rights Day), the sale of liquor must have stopped at 13h00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Restaurants, hotels and grocery stores with licences to sell\nliquor, must then stop selling liquor as per the time restrictions, but may\noperate beyond those hours to sell and\/or serve food with absolutely no liquor.\nThe condition with staying open after the 18h00 and 13h00 deadline, is that the\npeople on the premises must be 50 or less, including the staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile on-consumption establishments selling liquor only such\nas taverns may not continue doing business after the hours indicated above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the instance that these restrictions are contravened, members\nof the SAPS and otherwise enforcement agencies will address the owner or\nmanager of such premises by charging him with a criminal offence in terms of\nthe Regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ministers have also cautioned the public to note that drinking\nin public is a criminal offence. Police have been instructed to take decisive\naction against this practice, including activities such as “street bashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both Minister Cele and Minister Kubayi-Ngubane have appealed to\nthe public for maximum commitment and cooperation in adhering to the Regulations\nin the best interest of both themselves and the country at large\n\nSource: South\nAfrican Police Service\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"