Precident Cyril Ramaphosa Photo Sourced
By Staff Reporter
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday evening that South Africa will move from Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions to adjusted Level 3.
The president said new COVID-19 infections are being driven by the Delta variant, which is more transmissible than previous variants, and raised concerns about new daily infections in provinces like the Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, and the Northern Cape.
Ramaphosa further emphasised the importance of wearing masks at all times when in public, keeping distance , and adhearing to all Covid-19 safety precautions.
“The overall decline in new infections means that it is possible to gradually ease some of the restrictions on gatherings, movement and the sale of alcohol.”
The president announced that based on the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, and inputs from the President’s Coordinating Council, Cabinet, the country be moved from Adjusted Alert Level 4 and be placed on Alert Level 3.
- Hours of the curfew will begin at 10 pm and end at 4 am.
- Inter-provincial travel for leisure may resume.
- Non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars and fitness centres may be opened. These establishments will, however, need to close by 9 pm to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew
- Gatherings will be allowed but will be limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
- Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.”
- Gatherings include religious services, political events and social gatherings.
- The limits on venue capacity also apply to restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, bars, taverns and similar places.
- Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
- Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings are not allowed.
- The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption will be permitted between 10 am and 6 pm from Monday to Thursday.
- Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 8 pm.
- Schools will re-open on Monday 26 July, according to strict health protocols and other measures announced by the Minister of Basic Education.
- It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that always covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces.
- People between the ages of 18 and 34 are to be vaccinated from 1 September 2021 and will be able to present themselves at a vaccination site without an appointment and be registered and vaccinated.
- “I urge all South Africans to register for vaccination as soon as they are eligible, whether online, via WhatsApp or USSD, or by calling the toll-free number on 0800 029 999.
The president has also announced that the R350 grants will also be available to those that have been affected financially.
