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Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku eases more restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

Friday, 23rd April, 2021

MBABANE : Senator Themba Masuku, the Acting Prime Minister said government has eased some of the restrictions on alcohol sale.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Cabinet offices in Mbabane on Friday, the Acting Prime Minister said all licensed restaurants and eateries will now be allowed to serve  customers with liquor, strictly ordered with meals. However, liquor can be only served from Monday to Thursday between 11 am to 7 pm daily.

\"Government has further reviewed the operation hours for liquor traders, which will now open between 11 am and 7 pm on Mondays to Thursdays\", he said .

In an earlier interview with this publication, Thamsanqa Hlatjwako, the Swaziland National Liquor Association (SNLA) said the four days was not enough adding that it would have been better if  it also covered weekends .

\"We have been closed for a long time and working for four days a week means we will not break even.People are not drinking on Monday and Tuesday, it would have been better if we were to sell between Wednesday and Saturday. In that way we would be able to counter the black market,as the situation stands, the black market will thrive yet it is not generating any revenue for government.Some liquor traders don\'t have money to replenish their stock since the lockdown has hit them hard, this arrangement seems to favour big retailers since they already have the financial muscle to replenish their stock\", said the Liquor Association Secretary General.

Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku eases more restrictions on the sale of alcohol.
Acting Prime Minister Senator Themba Masuku(pic: Gov)