By Kefiloe Kajane
After some liquor stores were seen operating despite the ban of alcohol trading by government, the Coalition of Liquor Associations has called on their members to adhere to the new rules and regulations and support government intentions to flatten the Covid-19 curve.
On July 18, the Lesotho government introduced a new strategy of containing the Covid-19 pandemic. At the core of the strategy is flattening the curve while increasing the capacity of the health care system to enable it to cope when the pandemic peaks.
Out of the strategy, a Covid19 Risk, Determination and Mitigation Framework was developed and announced by the prime minister Moeketsi Majoro as well as the stage which the country is at, in this case low community transmission.
In accordance with the laws of the country the Covid-19 risk determination and mitigation framework regulations were legalized through the government gazette of the July 20.
Under the new regulations that govern low community transmission or the Orange pillar, alcohol sales is prohibited.
In a joint statement, the liquor industry indicated that it has come to their attention that despite the standing government gazette issued on July 20, there are bars and off sales that are still open and operational. As such, they would like to appeal to every liquor business that is still open to comply with the law and close operations per governments call.
They said the liquor industry is in the process of engaging with government and National Covid19 Secretariat to find solutions that will support the current government strategy as well as minimizing the economic impact on the liquor industry.
They further indicated that the industry has a wide and deep value chain and contributes an estimated three percent to the GDP and employs over 25000 Basotho. Shutting it down will take away the much needed revenue by the government and Basotho.
The said the collective presence of the industry on this call is a firm statement of intent that as an industry, they want to be a part of the solution to fight the pandemic, whilst reigniting the economy.
