Scores of people lined up outside liquor stores in South Africa’s township of Soweto on Monday (June 1), waiting to buy drinks for the first time in nine weeks after a ban on alcohol sales was lifted.
Buying booze was prohibited when Africa’s most industrialised economy went into lockdown on March 27 to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The ban – meant to ease pressure on emergency wards and prevent a feared spike in domestic violence – was lifted for home consumption on Monday as South Africa moved to level three of its five-tier shutdown.
The mood was festive in Soweto, on the outskirts of Johannesburg, where customers carrying crates of empty beer bottles waited out the meandering lines, some stationed in their cars, blasting loud music from their stereos.
“We are overwhelmed, over the moon, so excited,” said queing customer Bongani Khumalo.
“This place is jamming,” he exclaimed, adding that celebrations were expected throughout the township.
