South Africa announces easing of lockdown with alcohol and cigarette-sales permitted from Monday

South Africa will lift its coronavirus-linked ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, announcing the removal of "nearly all restrictions" on economic activities. The virus-related ban on the purchase of booze and cigarettes has been controversial, and no other country has introduced both measures together. It came into effect when South Africa went into a strict nationwide lockdown on March 27 to stem the spread of coronavirus. Alcohol sales wer