Level 2 lockdown rules: Fans barred from sporting events, night clubs remain closed

In line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on Sunday night, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has gazetted the level 2 lockdown regulations, which sees night clubs remaining prohibited.

Ramaphosa confirmed that South Africa would move to level 2 lockdown, with him saying that the country as a whole was still not out of the Covid-19 third wave yet, despite a million vaccines currently being administered every 4-5 days.

The president also said government would review the restrictions under level 2 in two weeks.

Here is what you need to know regarding the amended regulations:

Curfew and mask

• It remains mandatory to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth whenever you are in public.
• The curfew now starts at 11pm and ends at 4am.
• No person may be evicted from their place of residence for the duration of the national State of Disaster.

Gatherings and funerals

• Religious, social, political, and cultural gatherings are allowed but are limited to a maximum of 250 people indoors and 500 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. 
• Funeral services remain limited to 50 people indoors. Night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and “after-tears” gatherings are not allowed.
• Initiation practices are permitted. Meanwhile, Post-initiation celebrations are permitted, with guests limited to 100 people for indoor venues and 250 people for outdoor venues.

Alcohol

• The sale of alcohol at retail outlets for off-site consumption is allowed between 10am and 6pm, from Monday to Friday.
• Alcohol sales at on-site consumption venues are limited up until 8pm. Alcohol consumption remains prohibited in public spaces.

Premises and places

• Non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars, cinemas, casinos, and fitness centres may be opened. These establishments will, however, need to close by 10pm to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew. Night clubs remain closed to the public.
• Public places such as beaches, dams, zoos, parks and swimming pools have been reopened, subject to Covid health protocols.
• People are allowed to visit correctional centres, remand detention facilities and older persons’ residential facilities.
• No spectators are allowed at the venue of the sports match.

Travel and transport

• Buses and taxis may carry 70% of their licensed capacity for long-distance trips of over 200km. They may carry 100% of their licensed capacity for trips shorter than 200km.
• Interprovincial travel is permitted.
• 20 land borders, which are fully operational, will remain open while the other 33 land borders will remain closed.
• International air travel is restricted to the OR Tambo International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Lanseria International Airport and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.
• Passenger ships for international leisure purposes – excluding small crafts – are prohibited.

Level 2 Lockdown Regulations by Molefe Seeletsa on Scribd

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