[imagesource: GCIS]

No, there was no change on the sale of cigarettes or alcohol, or dog walking, or jogging, to get that out of the way right off the bat.

It looks like we will be waiting until at least Friday for President Ramaphosa’s formal response to the lawyer’s letter from alcohol lobbyists.

Speaking earlier today at a media briefing, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (above), did however touch briefly on the subject of alcohol and cigarettes, reports the Citizen:

“We will be announcing every week which sectors can open,” she said, but was not currently naming them. She confirmed that the ban on alcohol sales would remain in place until the end of April. Cigarettes will also not be allowed on sale again in the immediate lockdown future.

Business Insider SA, reporting on the same media briefing, said:

The new regulations make no mention of cigarettes. Asked if that ban will be lifted, minister in the presidency Jackson Mthembu responded with a flat “no”.

Not the news you were hoping for, I’m guessing.

Dlamini-Zuma did announce some changes to our lockdown regulations and, in particular, she touched on those regarding transportation, funerals and the movement of children.

IOL reports:

On transportation, Dlamini Zuma said they had noticed that people were continuing to transport alcohol during the lockdown. She said the only movement of alcohol would be the one used to manufacture sanitizers.

She said the sanitisation of goods that were imported was no longer needed as it has been noted that by time goods travelling by sea arrived at the country’s ports, the virus would not be detected.

The minister also said port operators would be allowed to move goods and export them to decrease congestion on the country’s ports.

On funerals, Dlamini Zuma said nothing much was changed and only 50 were allowed at a funeral. To travel for a funeral, people would still need to obtain permits from the court or a police station. Those who can not wait for permits were allowed to use affidavits. She said the opening of hotel stays was removed.

After there were many complaints from parents about shared custody of children, Dlamini Zuma said parents could move their children but they would need to have evidence of a birth certificate or a legal letter.

With regards to mining operations, some clarity was provided after reporting last week suggested that many mines would return to business as usual.

Coal mining operations that support and ensure supply to Eskom will continue, and other mining operations could start to operate at 50%.

Dlamini-Zuma said the lockdown would be lifted in stages, “in an incremental and orderly manner”, adding ominously:

“We don’t know for sure that the lockdown will end on April 30. Even if it opens on April 30 we can’t open the floodgates. Every week new conditions will be coming on stream. Some [regulations] will remain in place for a very long time.”

Look, only the foolish among us think it will be life as usual from May 1. All we can ask is that government keeps us posted each step of the way, so that there is some transparency and accountability to the process.

[sources:citizen&iol&businessinsidersa]