Adjusted Level 3 to curb COVID spread
South Africa has been placed on adjusted Level 3 from Level 1 with
immediate effect.
Several of the Level 3 regulations have been strengthened to limit
the potential for transmission. However, no formal announcement has
been made by President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding changes
to regulations governing local and international travel, other
than to discourage travel to cited hotspots.
With a few exceptions, businesses may continue to operate as long
as all relevant health protocols and social distancing measures are
adhered to.
The Level 3 restrictions will remain in place until 15 January 2021.
These measures will be reviewed at that time on the basis of the
state of the pandemic in the country.
Highlights from the speech this evening:
- All indoor and
outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days from the
date hereof, except for funerals and other limited exceptions
as detailed in the regulations, such as restaurants, museums,
gyms and casinos. These will further be set out by the Minister
in regulations and will be reviewed after that period.
- Every business
premises must determine the maximum number of staff and
customers permitted at any one time based on our
social-distancing guidelines and may not exceed that limit.
- The nationwide curfew
will be extended from 9pm to 6am. Apart from permitted workers
and for medical and security emergencies, nobody is allowed
outside their place of residence during the curfew.
- Non-essential
establishments – including shops, restaurants, bars and all cultural
venues – must close at 8pm. The list of these establishments
will be released shortly.
- The adjusted level
3 regulations will make every individual legally responsible
for wearing a mask in public. A person who does not wear a
cloth mask covering over the nose and mouth in a public place
will be committing an offence and could be arrested and
prosecuted. On conviction, they will be liable to a fine or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both
a fine and imprisonment.
- The sale of alcohol
from retail outlets and the on-site consumption of alcohol
will not be permitted.
- The prohibition on
consuming alcohol in public spaces like parks and beaches
remains.
- Distribution and
transportation will be prohibited with exceptions that will be
explained by the minister.
- These regulations
may be reviewed within the next few weeks if we see a
sustained decline in infections and hospital admissions.
- Night clubs and
businesses engaged in the sale and transportation of liquor
will not be allowed to operate.
Municipalities
defined as hotspots will be subject to additional restrictions
until there is a clear and sustained decline in infections. Cabinet
has decided that 22 districts be declared coronavirus hotspots:
- In the Eastern Cape: Chris
Hani District, Buffalo City, Amathole District, Alfred Nzo
District and the OR Tambo District. These are in addition to
Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the Sarah Baartman District,
which have already been declared hotspots.
- In KwaZulu-Natal:
eThekwini, Umgungundlovu District, Ugu District, Harry Gwala
District, King Cetshwayo District and Ilembe District.
- In Gauteng:
West Rand District, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.
- In the Western Cape:
West Coast District, Overberg District, Winelands District,
Cape Town, Central Karoo District are hotspots. This is in
addition to the Garden Route District.
- In the North West:
Bojanala District.
- In Limpopo:
the Waterberg District and the Capricorn District.
Those
living in the hotspot districts are strongly encouraged to minimise
their travel within the district to essential travel so as to
minimise contact with other people. Travel to hotspot districts
should be avoided if possible.
Cabinet has decided that all beaches, dams, lakes, rivers, public
parks and public swimming pools in hotspot areas will be closed to
the public with effect from tomorrow (29 Dec).
National and provincial parks and other parks where access control
measures and entry limitations are already in place may remain open
to the public.
ASATA will continue to monitor the situation and share updated
information as it becomes available
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