The decision to reimpose a ban on the sale of alcohol during South Africa’s Level 3 lockdown has divided opinion. Supporters view the ban as rational, arguing that alcohol-abuse-induced trauma cases should decline materially, freeing up much-needed hospital capacity to deal with the Covid-19 surge. Opponents view the ban as a blunt instrument that will not only place additional livelihoods at risk, but is also unlikely to prove effective, as the prohibition will be circumvented illicitly, robbing the fiscus of much-needed revenue at the same time. Much like the cigarette ban, there is a risk, too, that it allows the criminal underworld to occupy an even larger space in suburbs, townships and villages.