Download the Lockdown regulations (2 April) – includes consent forms and permits.
Lockdown FAQ’s
General
A lockdown is an emergency protocol that requires all South Africans to stay at home unless:
• You are performing an essential service
• You are getting essential goods or receiving an essential service
• You are collecting a social grant
• You are seeking emergency, life-saving or chronic medical attention
• Grocery shops, banks, pharmacies and other essential services will stay open during the lock down
• Shopping centres and retail stores must be closed, unless essential goods are sold on the premises. The store staff must ensure safe distancing and hygiene conditions
• As of 2 April, spaza shops and informal traders will be allowed to operate, as long as they have a valid permit
• As of 2 April, call centres providing services to international clients will be allowed to operate on condition that they’re providing healthcare, social or financial services
• All South African borders are closed, except for the transportation of essential goods and fuel
Ignoring the lockdown restrictions is seen as an offence, and will be punishable with a fine or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
It is your legal duty to report a neighbour or co-worker
Before you read or watch any news, make sure it is from reliable sources such as credible news publications and government department websites. Only trust verified news sources. Aside from news sites, you can also verify information on the Africa Check, National Institute for Communicable Diseases and Department of Health websites.
You can report any Coronavirus fake news by sending an email to fakenewsalert@dtps.gov.za or send a Whatsapp to 067 966 4015. You need to include the social media post, article or document deemed fake. Also include the link to where the post is located.
The soldiers and police officers are patrolling South African streets to ensure that every person is abiding by the lockdown regulations and staying safe. If you are stopped, stay calm, inform the officer your reason for being out in the streets, and obey the instruction provided by them.
You can submit a complaint at your local police station or contact the National Service Complaints Call Centre on 0800 333 177 or email complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za
For Business
Only businesses that have been defined as essential services in the regulations made in terms of the disaster management act published by Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will be allowed to operate.
These include:
Goods
1. Food
a. Any food product, including non-alcoholic beverages
b. Animal food
c. Chemicals packaging and ancillary products used in the production of any food product
2. Cleaning and Hygiene Products
a. Toilet paper, sanitary pads, sanitary tampons, condoms
b. Hand sanitiser, disinfectants, soap, alcohol for industrial use, household cleaning products and personal protective equipment
c. Chemicals, packaging and ancillary products used in the production of any of the above
3. Medical
a. Medical and hospital supplies, equipment and personal protective equipment
b. Chemicals, packaging and ancillary products used in the production of any of the above
4. Fuel, including coal and gas
5. Basic goods, including airtime and electricity
Services
Categories of essential services shall be confined to the following services:
1. Medical, health (including mental health), laboratory and medical services
2. Disaster management, fire prevention, fire fighting and emergency services
3. Financial services necessary to maintain the functioning of the banking and payments environment, inlcuding the JSE and similiar exchanges, as well as insurance services
4. Production and sale of the goods listed in Category A, above
5. Grocery stores, including spaza shops
6. Electricity, water, gas and fuel production, supply and maintenance
7. Critical jobs for essential government services as determined by Head of National or Provincial departments in accordance with the guidance of the DPSA, including Social Grant payments
8. Birth and death certificates, and replacement identification documents
9. Essential municipal services
10. Care services and social relief of distress provided to older persons, mentally ill, persons with disabilities, the sick and children
11. Funeral services, including mortuaries
12. Wildlife management, anti poaching, animal care and veterinary services
13. Newspaper, broadcasting and telecommunication infrastructure and services
14. Production and sale of any chemicals, hygiene products, pharmaceuticals for the medical or retail sector
15. Cleaning, sanitation, sewerage, waste and refuse removal services
16. Services related to the essential functioning of courts, judicial officers, the Master of the High Court, Sheriffs and legal practitioners required for those services
17. Essential SARS services defined by the Commissioner of SARS
18. Police, peace officers, traffic officers, military medical personnel and soldiers, correctional services officials and traffic management services
19. Postal services and courier services related to transport of medical products;
20. Private security services
21. Air-traffic navigation, Civil Aviation Authority, cargo shipping and dockyard services
22. Gold, gold refinery, coal and essential mining
23. Accommodation used for persons rendering essential services, quarantine, isolation and the lockdown
24. Production, manufacturing, supply, logistics, transport, delivery, critical maintenance and repair in relation to the rendering of essential services including components and equipment
25. Transport services for persons rendering essential services and goods, and transportation of patients
26. Services rendered by the Executive, Members of Parliament, Members of the Provincial Legislature, Members of Local Councils, the Judiciary, traditional leaders and National Office Bearers of Political Parties represented in Parliament
27. Commissioners of the South African Human Rights Commission, Gender Commission, and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, and the Public Protector and Deputy Public Protector
28. Transport and logistics in respect of essential goods as set out in A above to neighbouring countries.
To read the full regulations click here
All companies listed as per the essential services list, are required to register on the following portal http://bizportal.gov.za/essential_service.aspx These companies are required to make use of the absolute minimum staff necessary to operate safely.
There are a number of economic interventions that government has put into place to assist small businesses, these include:
• Covid19 Temporary Employee / Employer Relief Scheme
Businesses can apply for assistance for up to three months. The scheme will assist with paying a portion of workers salaries. Applications are subjected to the normal verification and validation processes of the Unemployment Insurance Fund
Apply for this assistance by emailing covid19ters@labour.gov.za
For more information on the relief scheme click here
• SMME Debt Relief Fund
The Debt Relief Fund is aimed at providing relief on existing debts and repayments, to assist SMMEs during the period of the COVID-19 State of Disaster. For SMMEs to be eligible for assistance under the Debt Relief Fund, the applicant must demonstrate a direct link of the impact or potential impact of COVID-19 on the business operations. This facility will also assist entities in acquiring raw material, paying labour and other operational costs. All these interventions will be structured to match the patterns of the SMMEs cash flows, as well as the extent of the impact suffered.
All small businesses are eligible to receive this financial aid, and need only meet the following criteria:
o They must be 100% owned by South African citizens
o They should employ at least 70% SA nationals
o They must be registered with SARS and be tax compliant
Priority will be given to female owned businesses, the youth and persons with disabilities.
To access the fund, businesses are required to register on the SMME South Africa platform
For More info click here.
For Indeviduals
People are allowed to get to the shops and access essential goods and services – in small numbers. Shops allow a limited number of people into the shop at the same time, ensuring social distancing of 1.5 meters when in a public space. Use hand sanitiser provided in the store.
When returning home, remember to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
It is advisable that you also change your clothes, as the virus can live on fabric for a few hours.
Also remove excess packaging that can carry the virus (such as boxes, plastic etc) from groceries where possible and decant into your own containers. If it is not possible to decant, wipe the packaging/tins/containers with a cloth and some disinfectant before putting your groceries in your fridge/freezer/cupboard.
No documentation is required.
If you are not feeling well, call your doctor. DO NOT go to a hospital or clinic. If you do not have a doctor/GP, please call the Coronavirus hotline on 0800 029 999. They will advise you on the steps you need to take. You should also separate yourself from your family if you suspect you have the virus. Speak to your medical professional who will advise you on the steps to take.
No, this is NOT allowed. The national disaster declaration is clear that people be confined to their place of residence, unless they are an essential service, buying goods, collecting a social grant, or seeking medical attention.
No, this is not allowed. Roads, parks and other amenities of the estate do not form part of anyone’s place of residence, and is therefore strictly prohibited.
The Covid19 Temporary Employee / Employer Relief benefit has been devised by the department of labour. The benefit will assist with paying a portion of workers’ salaries. Applications are subjected to the normal verification and validation processes of the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
Contact 012 337 1997 for information on applying for this benefit.
Separated parents may now move their children between houses during the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, provided the transporting parent carries their court order or any agreement registered with the family advocate eg. parental responsibilities and rights agreement or parenting plan.
Parents must also ensure that no person in the household has come into contact with a person who is known or suspected to be infected with Covid-19.
No visiting will be allowed under lockdown, but old-age homes will get the food and support they need.
No, you cannot get takeaways or ready cooked meals delivered to you. All restaurants, takeaways and food delivery services will be closed during lockdown.
Yes, funerals will be allowed to take place with the number of mourners restricted to 50. However, night vigils will be prohibited.
Transport
• All long-distance passenger rail services, both public and private, will stop operations for the duration of the lockdown. Services of Shosholoza Meyl, Premier Classe and Blue Train operated by PRASA and Transnet respectively, have already been suspended. The new regulations mean that private rail operators will also cease operations.
• All commuter rail services will shut down for the duration of the lockdown. This includes all Metrorail and Gautrain services.
• All international and domestic flights are prohibited, irrespective of the risk category of the country of origin.
• Only essential air cargo will be allowed. However, cargo from high risk country must be sanitized.
• The ban on cruise ships calling at any of our sea ports will be strictly enforced
• Essential cargo will be allowed at our 8 Sea Ports. However, cargo from high risk countries must be sanitized.
• As part of the relief measures for small businesses in distress as announced by the President, those taxis that have been financed by the National Taxi Finance administered by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) will be granted a 3 months repayment holiday. Commercial banks are also considering similar measures.
• Minibus-Taxis will be allowed to transport essential services workers and those allowed to make the necessary permitted movements. Transport movements in this regard will be allowed to operate from 05h00 to 09h00 and again from 16h00 to 20h00.
• Taxi’s may only carry 70% of their usual capacity.
• All passengers must wear masks.
• Operators should put measures in place to adhere to social distancing in order to curb the spread of the virus.
• All minibus-taxis must be sanitised after every trip.
• All taxi ranks must be sanitised at regular intervals.
• Where appropriate, government will provide assistance.
• Metered Taxis and e-Hailing vehicles will be allowed to transport essential services workers and those allowed to make the necessary permitted movements. Transport movements in this regard will be allowed to operate from 05h00 to 09h00 and again from 16h00 to 20h00.
• Metered Taxis and e-Hailing vehicles must be sanitized after each journey. The industry will take responsibility for this. Where appropriate government will assist.
• The number of passengers each vehicle is allowed to carry will be reduced. A vehicle licensed to carry up to 4 people will only be permitted to load 1 person. A vehicle licensed to carry up to 8 passengers will only be permitted to load a maximum of 3 passengers.
• Sanitizers used in all taxi vehicles must have a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
• Limited bus operations will be allowed to transport essential services workers and those allowed to make the necessary permitted movements.
• All cross-border road passenger movements will be prohibited for the duration of the lockdown.
• Cross-border freight movement for essential goods will continue to and from our neighbouring countries.
Vehicle Testing Centres and Drivers’ Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) will be closed. Should your drivers’ licence expire during the duration of the lockdown it will remain valid until the end of the lockdown, with the grace period of renewal within 14 working days thereafter unless otherwise determined.