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The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has published a series of directives that describe the country’s move towards a level 1 blockade and the new rules in force.
In the first directive, Dlamini-Zuma confirms that the country will move to a level 1 blockade starting at 00:01 on Monday morning (September 21).
In the second directive, the Cogta minister offers further clarification on the changes announced by President Cyril Ramamphosa in his national address on Wednesday night.
The most important changes are described in more detail below.
Reopening of borders
As of October 1, 2020, all travelers from the African continent and from countries outside the African continent with a low rate of infection and transmission of Covid-19 will resume.
This will be subject to:
- The traveler who presents a valid certificate of a negative test that was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel; and
- In case the traveler does not present a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveler will be asked to self-quarantine.
To temporarily control entry into South Africa from countries outside the African continent, the relevant cabinet members, after consultation with the cabinet member responsible for health, will determine in the instructions:
- Criteria to control the entry into the Republic of those countries with a high rate of infection and transmission by Covid-19;
- The list of countries with a high rate of transmission and infection by Covid-19, which may, from time to time, be modified.
- International travel from countries listed as having a high rate of Covid-19 infection and transmission will remain prohibited, except for business travel that may be permitted with the approval of the cabinet member responsible for internal affairs.
All commercial seaports will open, but international air travel is restricted to the following airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport;
- King Shaka International Airport; and
- Cape Town International Airport.
The list of safe and high-risk countries has not yet been completed. It will be published by the respective department, before the trip opens on October 1, Dlamini-Zuma said.
The minister said the list will change as new data becomes available, and that it will not be unique. Long-term visas will be activated from October 1.
Meetings
Everyone, when attending a meeting and to limit exposure to Covid-19, must:
- Wear a mask;
- Comply with all health protocols;
- Maintain a distance of at least one and a half meters from each other; and
- Adhere to any other health protocol and social distancing measures as provided in the instructions issued by the relevant cabinet member after consulting with the cabinet member responsible for health.
Additionally, an owner or operator of any indoor or outdoor facility where meetings are held must show the certificate of occupancy that establishes the maximum number of people the facility can accommodate.
The directive also describes the following rules for specific meetings, as long as no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with people observing a distance of at least one and a half meters from each other.
Other notable rules include:
- Meetings in religious institutions limited to 250 people or less for an indoor gathering and 500 people or less for an outdoor gathering;
- Meetings in social events limited to 250 people or less for an indoor gathering and 500 people or less for an outdoor gathering;
- Meetings in political events and traditional council meetings are limited to 250 people or less in the case of an indoor meeting and 500 people or less in the case of an outdoor meeting;
- Meetings in conferences and meetings they are limited to 250 people or less for an indoor gathering and 500 people or less for an outdoor gathering. Provided that people who participate through electronic platforms are not included in these limitations;
- Meetings in a Workplace are allowed for employment purposes;
- Meetings for recreational purposes in cinemas, theaters, concerts and live performances they are limited to 250 people or less for an indoor meeting and 500 people or less for an outdoor meeting;
- Meetings in casinos they are limited to no more than 50% of the capacity of the place, with people observing a distance of at least one and a half meters from each other.
Alcohol sales
The sale of liquor is allowed:
- For premises authorized for external consumption, it is allowed from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and holidays;
- Consumption is permitted on licensed premises, subject to strict enforcement of the curfew.
Funeral
Funeral attendance is limited to 100 or fewer:
- Provided that no more than 50% of the capacity of the place is used, with people observing a minimum distance of one and a half meters from each other.
- No night watches are allowed.
- During a funeral, a person must wear a face mask and adhere to all health protocols and social distancing measures.
Curfew
Each person is confined to their place of residence from 00:01 to 04:00 every day, except when a person has obtained a permit to work or is attending a medical or security emergency.
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- A person should, when in a public place, wear a mask, except when exercising vigorously; and
- You cannot be allowed to be in a public place, use any form of public transportation, or enter a public building, place, or premises, if that person is not wearing a face mask.
Closed to the public and exclusions
The following areas remain closed and / or are specifically excluded under the country’s level 1 lockdown:
- Night watches;
- Night clubs;
- The 35 land borders that remain closed;
- Initiation practices;
- Passenger ships for international recreational purposes;
- Spectator attendance at any sporting event;
- International sporting events;
- Exclusions related to certain public transport services;
- Exclusions Relating to Certain Educational Services.
You can read the full level 1 directive below:
Read: The latest alcohol rules in South Africa are a ‘punch to the stomach’
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