Covid-19 Q&A: Sale, dispensing and transportation of liquor – wine, spirits and other fermented beverages (Level 3)

Monday, 1 June, 2020
SALBA, Vinpro & WoSA
Government confirms the detail around domestic sales of liquor beverages (including wine), as per the Government Gazette published on 28 May 2020.

During the media coverage it was highlighted that the, “liquor industry has opted to self-regulate when outlets reopen”, and we would like to draw attention to the following.

As the sale of alcohol reopens under alert level 3 on 1 June 2020, the sector calls on all stakeholders — including Government and civil society groups – to work towards a collaborative, enabling policy environment in which the private sector can play a significant role in tackling COVID-19, while regenerating the economy and safeguarding the future of the industry’s value-chain and those who are employed by it.

We deem it appropriate to also update and include relevant areas/services pertaining to the producer and cellar environment, some of which was already covered in a previous Q&A
(related to export and inspection/quality control). You will therefore notice a comprehensive set of questions and answers.

1. BACKGROUND
Following from the Government Gazette (GG) No. 43096 on 15 March 2020, and in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act 2002, the regulations published by GG No.480 of 29 April 2020, has been amended by Government Gazette No. R43364, Volume 659 of 28 May 2020.

In a welcome development, the format of the regulations have reversed where permitted sectors and activities are concerned. In other words, all economic activities will now be permitted unless they are specifically excluded in the new Table 2 (page 21). Table 2 prohibits the following:

  • Consumption of food and beverages at the place of sale, including restaurants;
  • On-site consumption of liquor;
  • Short-term home-sharing, letting, leasing or rental for leisure purposes;
  • Domestic air travel for leisure purposes;
  • Conferences and events, including sporting events;
  • Personal care services; i e hairdressers, beauty treatments etc;
  • Tourist attractions and entertainment, except to the extent provided for otherwise by the Minister of Tourism.

All other economic activities can resume subject to the health and safety protocols. Limitations relating to scaling up of manufacturing and other economic activities, have been done away with.

Sections and regulations applicable to the liquor industry (including wine) will be highlighted as per the relevant paragraph(s), together with our interpretation. The key section being:-

CHAPTER 4 ALERT LEVEL 3 (paragraph 44, page 15)

1) Liquor product sales may take place between Mondays and Thursdays, from 09h00 until 17h00, at any licenced premises;

2) No liquor may be consumed on premises, but all licence holders may sell liquor during the designated hours;

  • Premises licenced for on-site consumption may also sell liquor in sealed containers for take-home purposes;

3) Liquor may be transported and distributed to any licenced premises from 29 May 2020.

2. SAFETY PROTOCOLS (PRODUCER, WINERIES & MANUFACTURUNG)

Prior to moving into specific detail around local liquor sales (including exports, already activated from 1 May 2020), it is of utmost importance that every producer, management team and board of directors pay close attention to the health and safety precautions from producer level to cellar door, wineries, manufacturing, distribution and any other related services in the supply-chain.

The Department of Employment and Labour will conduct unannounced inspections. As the country, province, local district and the liquor industry at large can’t afford to revert back to
higher lockdown levels, we must work hand in hand to ensure we flatten the transmission curve and progress to even lower alert levels.

It is also very clear that relevant health protocols and social distancing measures must be adhered to, in addition to the OHS-directions issued by the Department of Employment and
Labour. The following HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS have been designed and we trust all entities to implement and execute accordingly.

Conducting a risk assessment is of utmost importance. To this end you will find in both protocols (producer level and manufacturing) a risk assessment sheet – to be completed on the likelihood, exposure and consequence of the pathogen (COVID-19) in the business entity. For ease of reference you can fill out a blank risk assessment (Excel sheet) and include in the current risk assessment of the business. Your cooperation is much appreciated.

All workplaces need to appoint a COVID-19 compliance officer and this person needs to be known to allof the employees. Furthermore, a COVID-19 Workplace Plan needs to be
developed and implemented:-

  • Develop a plan for the phased-in return of employees, which must contain:
    - Which employees are permitted to work;
    - Plans for phased-in return to work;
    - Health protocols; and
    - The details of the COVID-19 compliance officer.
  • The compliance officer must ensure that health and safety protocols are adhered to.

3. SALE, DISPENSING AND TRANSPORTATION OF LIQUOR – LEVEL 3

Based on our deliberations and engagement with Government, the following is the interpretation of the published regulations.

1) What are the trading hours to consumers?
Off-consumption trading hours will be: Monday to Thursday, from 09h00 to 17h00. The final delivery of goods to customers, must also adhere to these timelines.

2) If my business does not have an off-consumption license, am I able to trade?
In terms of the regulations, any business with a liquor licence from the National or a Provincial Liquor Authority will be permitted to sell liquor for off-site consumption.
Please follow this link (Danie Cronjé Attorneys) to learn more.

3) Will any on-consumption trading be allowed under Level 3?
No on-consumption will be allowed.

4) Will a winery be allowed cellar door sales?
Yes – any cellar door/winery sales, with an off-consumption license, will be allowed to commence with liquor sales. Very important that every entity pay special attention to the previously shared protocol and implement accordingly (merely our advice):-

  • At the entrance/security gate a welcome note and safety protocol to be distributed to all visitors. Here you can already share your order list – to be completed and presented once inside.
  • Clearly display the liquor license certificate.
  • Safety and health posters to be displayed – wear a mask, maintain social distancing, wash hands and use sanitiser, etc.
  • It is not compulsory,but measuring the temperature of any visitor will be an advantage.
  • Mark the physical distance, between customers, lining-up in a queue.
  • Please manage the number of visitors inside the tasting room.
  • Hand sanitiser to be available.
  • No tastings and/or any other activities are permitted during level 3.
  • Limit any contact between customers, cellar door staff and other personnel to the minimum.
  • We would like to encourage a “click & collect” system.

5) Will the industry be allowed to prepare the value-chain before 1 June 2020?
Yes – the transportation of liquor to licensed premises is permitted from 29 May 2020 (in preparation to be ready on 1 June 2020), subject to directions which may issued by the
relevant Ministry.

6) Will travel permits be required under level 3?
It is our interpretation that ALL businesses and other entities may operate, except those set out in Table 2.

A person may leave his or her place of residence to travel to work, and perform ANY service,
as allowed in alert level 3:

  • The general public is still confined to their place of residence except for:
    - Working or travelling to or from work;
    - Buying goods or obtaining services permitted under level 3;
    - Moving children as per custody agreements;
    - Exercising between 6am and 6pm (the 5 km radius has been done away with);
    - Attending a place of worship;
    - Attending school or tertiary education as permitted under directions;
    - Attending a funeral;
    - Seeking medical attention;
    - Transporting mortal remains.

One may still only cross municipal or provincial boundaries for work purposes (and subject to the Form 2 Permit), or to move to a new place of residence or caring for an immediate
family member.

All persons who are able to work from home must do so. However, persons in all industries and activities will be permitted to perform work outside the home, and to travel to and from work, under alert level 3, subject to:
(a) Strict health protocols, and social distancing rules;
(b) Return to work being phased in to enable measures to make the workplace COVID19 ready;
(c) Return to work being done in a manner that avoids and reduces risks of infection; and
(d) Provided that they are not listed in Table 2.

All gatherings are prohibited except, when at a workplace for work purposes and/or agricultural auctions.

Table 2 must be read in conjunction with the regulations, in particular the restrictions on movement of persons, places and premises and gatherings

7) Will advertising and promotion be allowed?

Advertising:

  • Liquor traders are committed to upholding responsible trade conduct under applicable liquor laws and regulations.
  • Marketing messaging will support responsible consumption and COVID-19* related messaging. *COVID-19 sensitive messages include images that adhere to social distancing
    guidelines, hygiene practices, staying at home and wearing masks (where applicable).
  • No printed pamphlets allowed under alert level 3, other than showing product and price in stores to inform consumers and on websites.
  • We (the liquor industry) commit to using our media platforms and advertising content to support adequate changes in behavior and promote responsible consumption of liquor
    in all relevant marketing material.

Promotions:
Promotional activities will be confined to assuring availability of product, not attracting people to stores more than necessary, and will not aim to promote higher consumption due
to keener pricing.

Responsible Trading:
The industry commits to additional measures to discourage the sale of alcohol. We will not sell liquor to minors, pregnant women, people who are visibly intoxicated or people in
uniform.

8) How can we manage initial demand?
We would like to advise our members to ensure an increased security presence and staff complement to safely and adequately manage the initial surge in demand. Manufacturers
commit to having additional staff to help monitor non-compliance with relevant regulations.

Where possible, promote and enable sales via the following channels (during permitted retail hours only):

  • click/call and collect;
  • drive through; and
  • e-commerce.

9) Will there be any limits on quantities for sale to consumers?
The retail industry will self-regulate in order to limit the quantity available for sale in any oneconsumer transaction, so as to support and promote responsible consumption, and we
would like to propose the same.

10) Please share more detail on places/premises closed to the public.
Cultural, sporting, entertainment, parks or leisure premises continue to be closed to the public with the notable exceptions:

  • Hotels, lodges and other forms of accommodation can only host persons for work purposes; and
  • Tourist attractions such as parks and game reserves (public and private) must remain closed except that “private self-drive excursion activities” are permitted. This is however qualified in that one is still not permitted to cross municipal, provincial or national boundaries to access same.

View the full Q&A HERE