Alcohol sales banned as virus spikes in SAfrica

South African President has reimposed a ban on alcohol sales and ordered the closure of all bars as part of new restrictions to help the country battle a resurgence of the coronavirus, including a new variant. In a nationwide address Monday night, President also announced an extension of its nighttime curfew so all residents must be at home from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.

The president said wearing masks is mandatory and anyone found not wearing a mask in a public place will be subject to a fine or a criminal charge punishable by a possible jail sentence. He announced the new measures after a Cabinet meeting and an emergency meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council. The country surpassed the one million mark on Sunday night and 26,735 deaths.