IN PICS | South Africans wake up bright and early to queue for booze

01 June 2020 - 09:56
By TimesLIVE
People stock up on booze at the Pick n Pay on Nicol bottle store as the country enters level 3 of the lockdown. Bottle stares have been closed since lockdown was implemented in March in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Image: Sebabatso Mosamo People stock up on booze at the Pick n Pay on Nicol bottle store as the country enters level 3 of the lockdown. Bottle stares have been closed since lockdown was implemented in March in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19.

South Africans lined up to wait for liquor stores across the country to open their doors for the first time since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

Today marks the first day of level 3 in SA and also the day that the ban on the sale of alcohol is lifted.

Scores of masked customers line up outside Liberty Liquors in Durban on Monday morning to get their hands on much-awaited alcohol.
Image: Suthentira Govender Scores of masked customers line up outside Liberty Liquors in Durban on Monday morning to get their hands on much-awaited alcohol.
A group of people queuing outside the Beyers Naude Liquor City ahead of its 9am opening on Monday.
Image: Kgaugelo Masweneng A group of people queuing outside the Beyers Naude Liquor City ahead of its 9am opening on Monday.
A queue of about 20 people outside Liquor City at the Sophiatown Shopping Complex. Two individuals who preferred not to be named said that they specifically woke up early to come and queue.
Image: Amina Asma A queue of about 20 people outside Liquor City at the Sophiatown Shopping Complex. Two individuals who preferred not to be named said that they specifically woke up early to come and queue. "We are planning on getting cases of beer, we just hope that they won't limit quantities too much because we don't want to have to come here again tomorrow.
A queue forms outside Checkers Liquor in Northcliff corner, where a customer is seen leaning towards the glass doors to read the alcohol restriction instructions per customer.
Image: Andisiwe May A queue forms outside Checkers Liquor in Northcliff corner, where a customer is seen leaning towards the glass doors to read the alcohol restriction instructions per customer.
A few cheers when Makro in Springfield, Durban, opened its door at its liquor outlet just after 9am.
Image: Yasantha Naidoo A few cheers when Makro in Springfield, Durban, opened its door at its liquor outlet just after 9am.
A women getting her temperature taken outside the Makro in Springfield, Durban, before the store opened at 9am.
Image: Yasantha Naidoo A women getting her temperature taken outside the Makro in Springfield, Durban, before the store opened at 9am.

It has been 67 days since South Africans have been able to purchase alcohol after the alcohol ban that was announced by police minister Bheki Cele on March 25 to help curb the spread of Covid-19 — two days before the country went into a 21-day national lockdown.

Bert Johannes said he wanted to come early so that he could get all of his “good stuff”.

“I knew that today is going to be hectic. So I figured I might as well bring my camp chair and be early so I can get my beer,” he said.

Hazel Sithole, 39, said she arrived at Atteridgville plaza at about 5am. Sithole, who is also a nurse working in the Covid-19 ward, was excited to be number one in the long queue.
Image: SHONISANI TSHIKALANGE Hazel Sithole, 39, said she arrived at Atteridgville plaza at about 5am. Sithole, who is also a nurse working in the Covid-19 ward, was excited to be number one in the long queue.
Ten people and counting standing in a queue outside the Liquor City in Northcliff, with masks on and clear social distancing measures in sight - and camp chairs.
Image: Andisiwe May Ten people and counting standing in a queue outside the Liquor City in Northcliff, with masks on and clear social distancing measures in sight - and camp chairs.
More than 100 people are gathered outside Supa store in Thokozoza Park, Soweto. Many say they are there to purchase alcohol, saying the ban was unnecessary to begin with.
Image: Nonkululeko Njilo More than 100 people are gathered outside Supa store in Thokozoza Park, Soweto. Many say they are there to purchase alcohol, saying the ban was unnecessary to begin with.
Both hand sanitation and temperature screening are mandatory at the entrance to Beyers Naude Liquor City. So far no-one has been flagged for a high temperature.
Image: Modiegi Mashamaite Both hand sanitation and temperature screening are mandatory at the entrance to Beyers Naude Liquor City. So far no-one has been flagged for a high temperature.
Queues of liquor shoppers outside Checkers Liquors in Cape Town CBD.
Image: Anthony Molyneux Queues of liquor shoppers outside Checkers Liquors in Cape Town CBD.
A customer gets his hands sanitised before entering Tops at Spar at Umlazi's Mega City Mall.
Image: Orrin Singh A customer gets his hands sanitised before entering Tops at Spar at Umlazi's Mega City Mall.
Students Jeremy Ives and James Stachen stock up on booze supplies at the Tops Spar in Vredehoek.
Image: Aron Hyman Students Jeremy Ives and James Stachen stock up on booze supplies at the Tops Spar in Vredehoek.
People queueing outside a liquor shop to buy alcohol on the first day of level3 of the national lockdown in Durban.
Image: Sandile Ndlovu People queueing outside a liquor shop to buy alcohol on the first day of level3 of the national lockdown in Durban.
Costumers at a Liquor City shop in Johannesburg, on June 1, 2020. SA moved into level three of a five-tier lockdown to try and limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Image: Alon Skuy Costumers at a Liquor City shop in Johannesburg, on June 1, 2020. SA moved into level three of a five-tier lockdown to try and limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Students Sibahle Dyango, Nosiphelo Mganto, and Bongeka Ithole have stocked up for their post-lockdown bash. They say this batch will be finished by Thursday, and then they will restock for the weekend party.
Image: Aron Hyman Students Sibahle Dyango, Nosiphelo Mganto, and Bongeka Ithole have stocked up for their post-lockdown bash. They say this batch will be finished by Thursday, and then they will restock for the weekend party.
A large queue outside Makro, Alberton as the country moves to level 3 of the national lockdown.
Image: Alaister Russell A large queue outside Makro, Alberton as the country moves to level 3 of the national lockdown.
People queue for liquor in Nyanga, Cape Town.
Image: Esa Alexander People queue for liquor in Nyanga, Cape Town.