Lives versus livelihoods: South African adults' perspectives on the alcohol ban during the COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa implemented a national lockdown including a ban on the sale of alcohol. This paper describes adults' perspectives on this alcohol ban, focusing on whether they support or oppose this regulation. As part of a longitudinal study that documents South African's experiences of the COVID-19 lockdown, qualitative data were collected from 49 adults and analyzed thematically. Perspectives are framed around the overarching theme of 'lives versus livelihoods', presented as support and/or opposition to the ban. Participants who endorsed the ban, as preserving 'lives', thought that it facilitated social distancing and therefore limited the spread of COVID-19. Those who opposed the ban suggested that it undermined the 'livelihoods' of South Africans, in the context of an already-strained economy. Our findings show that decisions around whether to support or oppose the alcohol ban were informed by critical reflections on the wider socio-behavioral and health implications of such regulations Further implications are discussed.