President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday (24/05) that the whole of South Africa will enter level 3 of the lockdown from 1 June. This will ease a number of the regulations, including the sale of liquor.
Ramaphosa said level 3 will see the national curfew removed. Details of the new regulations will be available when discussions have been concluded.
He said that areas in the country where there is a high number of infections, named coronavirus hotspots, may see more stringent movement restrictions compared to other parts of the country.
People will be able to exercise at any time during the day, provided this is not done in groups.
You will be allowed to buy alcohol for home consumption, under strict conditions, on specified days and for limited hours.
Ramaphosa said the sale of tobacco products will remain prohibited under level 3 due to the health risks associated with smoking.
All gatherings will remain prohibited, except for funerals with no more than 50 people, or meetings in the workplace for work purposes.
He said all public places where cultural, sporting, entertainment, recreational, exhibitional, organisational or similar activities take place, will remain closed.
Restaurants, bars and taverns, except for the delivery or collection of food, will remain closed.
He said a discussion is under way with the interfaith religious community to find a workable solution for the opening of faith institutions.
Ramaphosa said to ensure that the country maintains physical distancing, certain high-risk economic activities will remain prohibited, and it includes personal care services like hairdressing and beauty services.
Accommodation and domestic air travel will return for business travel only, and will be phased in on dates that will be announced.
The country’s national borders will, however, remain closed for international travel, except for the transport of goods and repatriation of nationals.
Wholesale and retail trade will be fully opened, including stores, spaza shops and informal traders, Ramaphosa said. He said e-commerce will remain open. You will still have to wear a mask, and wash your hands
Ramaphosa said simple hygiene practices, such as the regular washing of hands, wearing a face mask, keeping at least 1.5 m from others, avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, and cleaning surfaces regularly were the most effective defence against the coronavirus.
All commuters will therefore be required to wear masks and wash their hands before and after they have travelled on any form of public transport.
Ramaphosa said Gr. 7 and Gr. 12 learners will return to school on 1 June. Parents will not be forced to send their children back to school if they have safety concerns.
Strict infection control measures and, where necessary, additional water and sanitation infrastructure are being put in place to enable physical distancing, regular hand washing and learner safety at schools.
Most sectors of the economy will return to work, subject to observance of strict health protocols and physical distancing rules.
Subject to hygienic measures, all manufacturing, mining, construction, financial services, professional and business services, information technology, communications, government services and media services will commence, fully reopening from 1 June.
People will, however, still be encouraged to work from home, especially people over the age of 60 and those with pre-existing conditions.– James de Villiers, News24
