Covid-19: Majority of restrictions eased as South Africa prepares to move into Alert Level 1

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa is ready to move to lockdown Alert Level 1.

“Now is the time to return our country, its people and our economy to a situation that is more normal, that more resembles the lives that we were living six months ago,” he said.

Following meetings of Cabinet, the National Coronavirus Command Council and the President’s Coordinating Council, the president updated the nation on developments in government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic on 16 September.

Even as restrictions have eased, South Africa has seen a gradual reduction in new infections, hospitalisations and deaths.

President Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of avoiding a resurgence of infections as seen in other countries, which in many cases have been more severe than the first surge.

Government will increase Covid-19 testing and will now be testing individuals who have been hospitalised, out-patients with symptoms of Covid-19 and individuals who have been in close contact with individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 regardless of whether or not they are showing symptoms.

President Ramaphosa further highlighted the importance of contact tracing and has urged South Africans to download the Covid Alert SA app on their smartphones. This app alerts users when they have come into close contact with another user who has tested positive for Covid-19.

The Department of Health has also launched WhatsApp and SMS systems for those users without smartphones in order for them to receive their test results and notifications of Covid-19 exposure.

As the country has seen a significant decrease in Covid-19 infections, it was announced that South Africa will move to Level 1 as of midnight, 20 September. This will allow the country to resume most of the activities that have been restricted during lockdown.

The move to Level 1 will mean a further easing of restrictions on gatherings:

• Social, religious, political and other gatherings will be permitted, as long as the number of people does not exceed 50 per cent of the normal capacity of a venue, up to a maximum of 250 people for indoor gatherings and 500 people for outdoor gatherings.

Health protocols, such as washing or sanitising of hands, social distancing and mask-wearing, will need to be strictly observed.

• The maximum number of people who may attend a funeral is increased from 50 to 100 due to the higher risk of viral transmission at funerals. Night vigils are still not permitted.
• Venues for exercise, recreation and entertainment – such as gyms and theatres – which were limited to no more than 50 people, will now be allowed to accommodate up to 50 per cent of their venue’s capacity as determined by available floor space, subject to social distancing and other health protocols.
• Existing restrictions on sporting events remain in place.

Where required for the purposes of voter registration or special voting, the Independent Electoral Commission will be allowed to visit correctional centres, health facilities, old age homes and other similar institutions.

This will be subject to all the health protocols, include the wearing of masks and washing or sanitising of hands.

The country will also be allowing travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other travel with effect from 1 October 2020.

This is subject to various containment and mitigation measures: 

• Travel may be restricted to and from certain countries that have high infection rates. A list of countries will be published based on the latest scientific data.
• Travellers will only be able to use one of the land border posts that have remained operational during the lockdown or one of the three main airports: King Shaka, OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airport.
• On arrival, travellers will need to present a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours from time of departure.
• Where a traveller has not done a Covid-19 test prior to departure, they will be required to remain in mandatory quarantine at their own cost.
• All travellers will be screened on arrival and those presenting with symptoms will be required to remain in quarantine until a repeat Covid-19 test is conducted.
• All travellers will be asked to install the Covid Alert South Africa mobile app.

As part of the gradual return to regular economic and social activity:

• The hours of curfew have been changed. The curfew will now apply between midnight and 4am.
• The sale of alcohol at retail outlets for home consumption is now permitted from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
• Alcohol will be permitted for on-site consumption in licensed establishments only and with strict adherence to the curfew.

In the next few days, the updated regulations will be published and ministers will provide detailed briefings.

President Ramaphosa concluded that a second wave would be devastating to our country, and would again disrupt our lives and livelihoods.

“It is up to each and every South African to ensure that this does not happen,” Ramaphosa said.

He reminded South Africans that in order to keep ourselves and those around us safe, South Africans must continue to wear masks when out in public, maintain social distancing, continue to wash their hands regularly and download the Covid SA Alert app.

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