LIQUOR TRADERS TABLE 3 OPTIONS TO GOVT

MANZINI – Desperate times call for desperate measures! This best describes what is happening to desperate liquor shop owners, who so badly want to operate such that they have proposed liquor trading conditions which could see them incurring some costs.      

The businesspeople, through the Swaziland National Liquor Association (SNLA), have approached the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and proposed for liquor trading conditions within the COVID-19 Business Guidelines.
In their proposal, which is dated April 23, 2020, they listed three options which they want to discuss with the ministry, which are total banning of alcohol, home service and takeaway trading of liquor.  

Options

According to SNLA Secretary General Thamsanqa Hlatshwayo, they eventually met the ministry last Thursday to present and discuss the three options.
Regarding the option of total banning of alcohol while the country was fighting the outbreak and spread of COVID-19, Hlatshwayo said by this, they meant that government should completely close liquor trading.

However, he said under this option, there were challenges, which included that this might lead to the black market sale of liquor thriving and that liquor licence holders would not trade and therefore incur total loss.

He said there would also be a need for increased security costs as 24-hour security would be required and that staff should be laid off.

“There will be lawsuits and evictions which will be enforced by landlords as they demand rent,” Hlatshwayo said.
In that regard, the secretary general said if government considered implementing this option, it should create a fund using State funds to subsidise liquor traders without preconditions for the catering of incurred losses.
“This fund’s emphasis shall be on saving of jobs and rescuing businesses by paying salaries and rent among other things,” Hlatshwayo said.

He said currently, they were drowning in debts since they had to pay rent and staff members because they had not been retrenched as per the Guidelines on Employment Contingency Measures in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Notice of 2020 (Under Regulations 32(10)).

On the other hand, Hlatshwayo said in terms of home service trading of liquor, they meant that liquor would be delivered at the door steps of the clients and there would be no sales made at the premises (bottle stores and bars).
He added that a minimum and maximum purchase would be set for orders per person, which meant that, for example, no order should be below a six pack and exceed five cases.
He further said under this option, the sale of 750ml and 660ml beers would be banned because usually people shared these.

Permit

Again, he said all liquor producers and suppliers would be opened together, but would not permit any collection from their premises. Instead, he said they would deliver to liquor traders permitted to operate.
“Wholesalers shall be permitted to operate under the same conditions,” he said.

In that way, he said this would curb the spread of the virus because there would be no queues at wholesalers, bottle stores and bars.
Instead, he said it would be the alcohol that would be moved to those who required it; from wholesalers to bottle stores and bars, then to the final consumer who would be in the comfort of their homes.

He added that still under this option, bottle stores and bars would show their delivery plan and trade between 11am and 6pm from Monday to Saturday.
Moreover, the secretary general said regarding the other option - of takeaway trading of liquor, they meant that the final consumers would buy from the liquor shops and go.

He said the sale of 750ml and 660ml would be banned because people commonly shared these.
“We should also enforce COVID-19 regulations like wearing of face masks, hygiene and observing social distancing among others,” he said.

Once again, even under this option, liquor producers and suppliers should be open, but prohibit any collection from their premises. Instead, he said producers and suppliers should deliver to liquor traders permitted to operate.

Plan

“Other retailers like bars, will have to sketch a plan on how they will ensure that their customers buy and go.
“This plan will be presented to the national commissioner of police as law enforcers will use it to monitor if the liquor outlets comply,” the secretary general said.

 Again, he said the liquor outlets would operate between 11am and 6pm from Monday to Saturday.
He emphasised that eating and drinking on the premises would be strictly prohibited.

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