President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved South Africa back to Lockdown Level 3.
“We are at an extremely dangerous point in our fight against the pandemic.”
Ramaphosa said on Monday, Cabinet has decided to put the country on an adjusted Level 3 from Level 1 with immediate effect.
Under the adjusted level 3 regulations:
- All indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days from the date hereof, except for funerals
- Funerals may not be attended by more than 50 people with social distancing.
- 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 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.
- From now on it is compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public space. A person who does not wear a cloth mask covering over the nose and mouth in a public place will be committing an offence.
- A person who does not wear a mask 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.
Under the strengthened regulations:
- 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.
- In effect, the adjusted Level 3 regulations will keep the economy open while strengthening measures to reduce transmission.
- With a few exceptions, businesses may continue to operate as long as all relevant health protocols and social distancing measures are adhered to.
- Night clubs and businesses engaged in the sale and transportation of liquor will not be allowed to operate.
The Level 3 restrictions will remain in place until 15 January 2021.