Western Cape Government Lifts Ban of Cigarette Sales

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The Western Cape Government said in a statement on Wednesday that cigarettes can be sold during lockdown but only if purchased paired with essential goods.

The announcement was made in an effort to help businesses understand and adapt to the lockdown regulations.

“Central to our strategy to support businesses and the economy in the Western Cape, is helping businesses understand and adapt to the lockdown regulations so that as many businesses as possible can continue to operate during this challenging time.”

According to the statement, there has been some confusion about which stores are able to remain open to supply essential goods. Here is some clarity about the term “essential goods services”:

• Grocery stores include large retail chains, small corner grocery stores, fruit and veg shops, butcheries and stores at filling stations.
• Pet and veterinary stores are only allowed to sell animal food and medicines.
• Health food shops that sell food, hygiene products and/or cleaning products but only essential goods may be sold.
• Cigarettes can be sold during the lockdown, but only if purchased with essential goods.
• Money lending businesses may not be open.
• Businesses can deliver essential goods to people’s homes, but not hot meals or any non-essential goods.

To give clarity regarding the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) certificate: It is NOT a legal requirement for businesses in the Western Cape, to obtain a Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) certificate in order to operate if they provide an essential service or sell essential goods.

“Furthermore, unless you and your staff can work from home during the lockdown, if your business continues to operate during the lockdown and is NOT providing an essential service you are committing a criminal offence. Law enforcement will close your business and may even arrest you, regardless of whether you have the CIPC certificate or not.”

If your business provides essential services, you must give each of your staff members a written permit, in the prescribed form, which will give them permission to travel to work. Remember to advise your staff that they must always carry this permit with them, plus a recent ID so that it can be shown to law enforcement officers who may stop them while they are travelling.

To support businesses, the Western Cape Government has created a “Corporate Toolkit” which includes posters, collateral and other resources for businesses to distribute and help stop the spread of COVID-19. The toolkit can be found on the Western Cape Government website.

For more information about lockdown regulations, the financial relief currently available to businesses, and answers to many other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for businesses, visit these websites: http://www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus and http://www.supportbusiness.co.za.

“We are all in this together and every single one of us is responsible for stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the Western Cape. We will all have to pull together, and we will all have to work together, in the coming days, weeks, and months because, in the end, it is up to all of us to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Western Cape.”