AFTER the country moved to the purple colour code with more restrictions imposed which among others, only allow liquor traders to operate from Monday to Friday, the traders are now asking the government to extend their operating days.

They argue that they need to open their businesses over the weekends as those are their peak days when they have more customers to serve and generate good income.

Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro announced earlier that in the purple colour code, liquor traders must open from 9am to 7pm, serving only take away.
A bar owner from St Michael’s in Roma, Monaheng Sesiu said while they are permitted to sell alcohol, they are however, unhappy that they cannot work on the two busiest days of the week, Saturday and Sunday.

“We have lost many customers due to these restrictions and most of our customers have now resorted to buying alcohol from traders who sell it illegally over the weekends,” he said.

He said traders are still expected to pay the same amount of tax and licenses even though their working days and hours have been cut tremendously.