Cape Town: Caden Khayo stands outside the bar at Long Street Cape Town, desperate to take advantage of this Christmas after months of restrictions and concerns about Covid-19.
Many were afraid of repeating the shutdown of last year’s holiday after South Africa became one of the first countries to identify the omicron variants that spread quickly.
But President Cyril Ramaphosa has stopped from ordering the new sidewalk this time.
He urged people to be careful and let the bar keep a beer flowing, for now.
“This is Christmas, we must celebrate you know,” Khayo, 30, said as drinkers moved from the club to the club around him.
“Last year we were at home.
We are closed and all.
But this time, we are here, we have fun.
That’s a good thing.” Hundreds have headed to the bar and club and Hangout Bohemian along a long road 3 km.
In Johannesburg, thousands more turned out to enjoy the appearance of the light that had filled the upscale Melrose Melrose shopping office with a blinking deer, sparkling giant Teddy Bears and flushed the Christmas tree.
There was still midnight at midnight.
The bar owner keeps careful, overseeing more restrictions, or returning to June alcohol prohibitions.
But for now there are many who take the heart of the vaccination program and from data that show that those infected with Omicron are far more likely to end up in hospitals than they are with Delta tensions.
In Long Street, trade lunch especially survive well, Prince Kabana, general manager at Bright Beenhouse Bar, said.
“It’s like 30 to 40% better than we last year so it’s a good sign,” he added.
“Now we can get some staff back and move.” Outside, after dark, masked police keep traffic flow through crowded streets.
“Everyone here partying.
I mean seeing this place,” said Tourist Jason Smuts.
“It’s nice to see that everyone wore their mask, and I got Vax, hopefully everyone gets Vax.
It will be good, you know.”