The Lesotho Liquor and Restaurant Owners Association (LI&ROA) has called on the government to take legal action against liquor and food outlets which have been operating in contravention of the Covid-19 Health Regulations.
Their cry comes after a week in which social media was flooded with pictures of nightclubs packed with revelers, drinking and dancing the night away. A public outlash followed, with people accusing liquor outlets of putting citizens’ lives at risk by operating against the set rules.
The association has since distanced itself from the clubs in contravention of the law and reassured the government and the public in its Friday statement that its members have maintained and will continue to adhere to the regulations.
They suggest that business which are not legally registered, including those owned by ministers, were the ones operating in contravention of the legal instruments limiting liquor sales to Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
“As LI&ROA we undertook the commitment to abide by the working conditions set out by the government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) and we tabled our commitment before the National Emergency Command Centre (NECC) as well as the minister of trade and industry.
“It is with great dismay that we learn of the statements attacking our business in general even though it is clear that businesses which failed to adhere to the regulations are those not registered, not operating legally, some of which belong to government ministers. Our belief is that these businesses are known and we are expecting to see legal action taken against them.
“Unfortunately, operational decisions regarding our businesses are done by the minister of health working with the national security agencies. What is painful is that our legally registered businesses remain closed, illegal ones remain operational,” the association stated in its statement.
The LI&LOA further lamented on the two operational days they are allowed to sell liquor on which they are the same days on which they are able to get stock.
“To our surprise, businesses which have large gatherings of customers are allowed to operate but we remain forbidden. We were given two days to operate, being Mondays and Thursdays, which are not beneficial to us in that those are days on which our customers are at work and those are also the days on which we buy stock.”
They pleaded with the government to allow full operational of their businesses, further vowing to operate in line with the Covid-19 regulations. They also stated that they are still expecting the financial bailout which the government has since promised different entities which are affected the novel coronavirus.
“We are hoping that our businesses will be allowed to operate just like other businesses in line with the set guidelines and recommendations.
“We are awaiting the implementation of the promise which was made by the former prime minister which stated that Basotho businesses which are affected by the Covid-19 will receive bailouts in terms of rent for three months being April, May and June. It was stated that this bailout would be effected within 14 days but that has still not materialised.
“Our greatest expectation is all liquor and restaurant retailers will continue to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations and that the new government will implement the promised bailouts that the former prime minister promised,” LI&LOA concluded.
