Just days after the National Disaster Act outlawed the sale of cigarettes during our three-week lockdown period, the Western Cape government have relaxed this law almost entirely. They have confirmed on Wednesday that smokers will be allowed to get their ciggies, but there’s a small caveat…

Can you buy cigarettes during lockdown? Well yes, but only if you live in the Western Cape

After the ban on purchasing cigarettes was lifted in several local districts, the entire Western Cape has decided to follow suit. A recently released statement explains that smokers can indeed get their fix, but they must only purchase tobacco if they’re also shopping for essential goods. So if you’re topping up on smokes, you best make sure you’re bringing bread and milk home, too…

“The Western Cape is helping businesses understand and adapt to lockdown regulations. We realise that there has been some confusion about what stores are able to remain open to provide essential goods. We can now confirm that cigarettes may be sold during the lockdown – but only together with essential goods.” Western Cape government

The only shops – and goods – which should still be available

No other province or local authority has lifted the cigarette ban. Following a liaison with the national structures of government, officials in the Western Cape have issued further guidelines on what shops should still be allowed to operate, and explained what goods can be marketed during the three week lockdown period:

Grocery stores allowed to remain open include; large retail chains, cornershops, fruit and veg stalls, butchers and convenience stores at filling stations.

Pet and veterinary stores are permitted to be open, but only if they solely sell animal food and animal medicines.

Health food shops that sell food or hygiene products are allowed to open, but only to sell essential goods.

Cellphone shops are not allowed to be open. Airtime can be bought at any grocery store, spaza shop or online.

Money lending businesses are not permitted to be open.

Businesses can deliver essential goods to people’s homes, but they can’t deliver hot meals or any non-essential goods.

“We’re all in this together” – Western Cape government

The statement finished with a rallying call of togetherness for all citizens in the south-west: