President Cyril Ramaphosa in an address to the nation on Monday night about latest Developments in response to Coronavirus COVID-19. He emphasised that continued vigilance was important, implying that stepping down to Level 2 would send the wrong message.
“Let us remember that despite the clear progress we have made, the number of new cases is still high and there is an ever-present danger of a resurgence,” he said.
In the last two weeks, South Africa’s active Covid-19 caseload has dipped by more than 40%, prompting health minister Zweli Mkhize to note that there were “promising signs” that the second wave was waning. A decline in cases coincides with the arrival of one million vaccine doses, which were welcomed by Ramaphosa.
Curfew has changed again
The national curfew will now start at 23:00 and end at 04:00. Restaurants and similar entertainment establishments must close at 22:00, so patrons get home in time.
Exemptions still apply – including travelling to or from an airport, as long as you can show a ticket or boarding pass.
Churches may reopen – with small services
Other gatherings remain banned, but faith-based groups are allowed again – up to a maximum of 100 people if outdoors, or limited to 50 people if indoors, and no more than 50% of venue capacity if the venue can not hold 50 people at an appropriate social distance.
Beaches and rivers will reopen
Beaches, dams, rivers, and lakes, “inclusive of all recreational facilities at these places” are open again.
Following the same rules as for faith-based institutions, public swimming pools are limited to 100 people outdoors or 50 people at any indoor part, with a maximum of 50% occupancy if the building is too small to hold 50 people at a safe social distance.
Booze is back, to 22:00 all week at restaurants, and until 18:00 on Thursdays at bottle stores
There will again be a difference between when you can buy sit-down drinks, and when you are allowed to take your booze home.
Everyone with an on-site liquor licence will be allowed to sell from 10:00 to 18:00 Monday though Thursday, Ramaphosa said.
The likes of restaurant and taverns will be allowed to sell until 22:00, all week long.
Everyone else – “duty-free shops, registered wineries, wine farms, micro-breweries and micro-distilleries” – will be restricted only to their usual licensed hours.
Business insider SA
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