Here’s how alcohol restrictions will intensify for Easter, *if* SA moves to Level 2

Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on Tuesday evening, as South Africa edges closer to an intensified Easter lockdown. The most likely path, so far championed by scientific advisors and other Cabinet members, is a move to Level 2 restrictions – something that would significantly restrict our access to alcohol over the long weekend.

How alcohol restrictions would change at Level 2:

Only available for four days a week

A shift down to Level 2 would see the rules for liquor sales change dramatically. Booze can only be purchased for four days a week, from Monday to Thursday, under the official government guidance. The seven-day availability of off-license alcohol is in force solely at Level 1 of lockdown, or when all restrictions have been lifted permanently.

Alcohol restrictions and the ‘eight-hour window’

Across those four days, you don’t have a massive window of opportunity to secure your liquor. Bottle stores are likely to open from either 9:00 – 17:00, or 10:00 – 18:00, on the days they are allowed to open. That means there are just 32 hours in a full week where its possible to purchase booze, marking one of the stricter elements of Level 2.

No booze available from stores throughout Easter

Should Ramaphosa introduce changes in line with the Level 2 guidance, a Monday to Thursday schedule would mean that bottle stores would be shut down over the long weekend. Under these rules, you can still go boozing in pubs and bars from Friday to Sunday, but if you want to secure a personal supply, you will only have a couple of days to do so.

Last orders before 21:00

With curfew laws also set to change temporarily, a 22:00 deadline means that restaurants, bars, and alcohol-selling establishments must close-up at 21:00, so patrons can make their way home.

Just how likely is a complete and total alcohol ban?

This hasn’t been ruled out completely, and although Level 2 laws allow for alcohol trade, the industry is three times bitten, four shy: Previous periods of prohibition blindsided liquor producers, and fears remain that a snap booze ban could return for Easter. This remains an unlikely scenario – but it’s not a complete impossibility.