JACKSON MAPAPAYI writes
KASEMPA Town Council in the North-western province has closed all liquor stores in the district.
The decision is curb the spread of Covid-19 in accordance with Statutory Instrument number two of 2020 of the laws of Zambia.
Council Secretary, Tryson Chunga, said effective September 12, this year all stores should remain closed in line with the Presidential directive to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Mr Chunga the local authority had observed with dismay that liquor store operators were abrogating the law on operating hours and allowing clients to drink within their premises.
The Council Secretary said the practice was against the Statutory Instrument number 21 and 22 of 2020.
“It is in this vein that all liquor store operators are given a period of one week to exhaust their existing stock before the stated date,’’ he said.
Mr Chunga warned that those who would be found selling alcohol would be charged a penalty fee of K1, 000 and risk their licence being revoked immediately.
When Covid-19 broke out in March this year, President Edgar Lungu directed
that all bars and night clubs should stop operating.
Liquor stores were order to strictly operate on take-away basis while restau- rants were shut but later opened and only allowed to sell restricted amount of beer to patrons that would order food.
