Alcohol restrictions ease as South Africa moves to adjusted alert level 1
Lockdown restrictions regarding the curfew, sale of alcohol and gatherings have been eased and the new regulations will come into effect at midnight. Here’s what you need to know.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation earlier this evening and announced that the country will be moved from adjusted alert level 2 to adjusted alert level 1 as of midnight.
“The current trends in the progression of the pandemic mean that a number of the restrictions in place can be eased, as per the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19,” Ramaphosa said.
This comes after statistics showed a steady decline, with the average number of new cases recorded at around 1800 a day in the last seven days.
The hours of curfew will begin at midnight and end at 04:00.
The sale of alcohol for on and off-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions until 23:00. Non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars and fitness centres need to close by 23:00 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 750 people indoors and 2 000 people outdoors.
Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 100 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed. Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings are still not allowed.
Ramaphosa noted that more restrictions can be eased once the national vaccination drive gathers more pace.
To date, over 17 million doses of the vaccine have been administered.
In order to reach its goal of vaccinating 70% of the population by the end of the year, South Africa needs to administer a further 16 million vaccine doses by the end of December.
As a means to gain momentum, the Vooma Vaccination Weekends campaign will kick off this weekend, to encourage more South Africans to get their jab, especially those who cannot commute to the usual vaccination sites on weekdays.
It remains mandatory to wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth when in public spaces.
Owners and managers of public buildings, centres, shops, restaurants, taxis and buses all have a responsibility to ensure that people on their premises or in their vehicles wear masks, as well as to ensure that social-distancing measures are adhered to.
“Let us as one reach our 70% target by December. Let us pick up the pace, let us Vooma,” the president concluded.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
