No wine for the unvaccinated. That might become a reality in coming months, and the industry, hit by four outright sales bans since March 2020, has not rejected it out of hand.
The idea has been floated by Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathuba, who has won national acclaim for the province’s relatively successful vaccination programme and was seen as a strong candidate to replace Zweli Mkhize in the national portfolio when President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffled his cabinet in July.
The proposal is due to be presented on Thursday to the National Health Council, an advisory body made up of leaders from the lower spheres of government that reports to health minister Joe Phaahla.
It might put SA a step closer to considering vaccination passports as the country — after months in which the government has faced criticism for its slowness in acquiring shots — has seen a slowing in vaccination take-up. Just over 8.2% of the population had been fully jabbed by Tuesday, based on the Bloomberg vaccination tracker.
Vaccination passports have been tried in some countries, while others have left it to business owners to decide. President Emmanuel Macron has taken a tough stance in France, facing down protesters opposed to new Covid-19 rules that require proof of vaccination or a negative test for access to a range of activities, including eating out.
Goldman Sachs said it would require proof of vaccination from employees and clients entering its offices, joining other big US companies such as Disney, Walmart and Google that have started mandating that their employees get Covid-19 shots.
Ramathuba said that “alcohol is a super spreader” and
vaccines have proved to be effective in preventing serious illness and death.
“I am doing this to protect the very same people who consume alcohol; we are seeing a direct link. Meanwhile, in my province not a single healthcare worker who has been vaccinated has died of Covid-19,” she said.
The SA Liquor Brand Owners Association said it would discuss Ramathuba’s proposal at a meeting on Wednesday. “Like most in business, the industry’s initial reaction has been to promote vaccination among thousands of people employed in the sector. The industry is reviewing any potential approach in supporting a broader societal agenda to encourage vaccination,” chair Sibani Mngadi said.
Ramathuba added that she thinks everyone entering a restaurant or tavern must be vaccinated. “It is not compulsory in our country and that includes Limpopo. However, as a health department, we can’t just fold our arms and keep complaining about vaccine hesitancy when we know we can engage the liquor industry.”
The industry has been hit especially hard by Covid-19 lockdowns, having endured four complete bans since March 27 2020. It says the prohibitions have cost about R68bn, equivalent to 1.3% of GDP.
The sector, which supports 1-million jobs, said it saw illicit traders take almost a quarter of market share. A successful vaccination programme that makes future lockdowns less likely would be to its benefit.
Salim Abdool Karim, former co-chair of the Covid-19 ministerial advisory committee, said that while the proposal to restrict the activities of the unvaccinated was good, it was still a few months off and the country first had to ensure that people had enough time and opportunities to get jabbed.
“It is inappropriate to target alcohol. Instead we need to implement a vaccine requirement in all places that carry a high risk, which may include places where alcohol is consumed. But only after people have had sufficient time to get the vaccine.”
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