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President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: GCIS)
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has met with prime ministers to decide on the Easter weekend restrictions.
- The country is currently under alert level 1 lockdown.
- There is fear of a third wave of Covid-19 infections after the long Easter weekend.
President Cyril Ramaphosa met with the Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) on Tuesday to decide on Covid-19 regulations ahead of the Easter long weekend.
The PCC includes the nine prime ministers, the health MECs, and the disaster management authorities.
Scientists and government officials have warned of a third wave of coronavirus infections, possibly shortly after the long Easter weekend.
However, News24 understands that the meeting, which lasted just over an hour, proposed that all regulations currently in force should remain the same, saying that the country should not move to Alert Level 2.
Sources within the PCC told News24 that the government was proposing that religious gatherings be allowed, but that only 250 people should be allowed inside and 500 outside.
However, the decision is subject to the size of the venue.
Smaller spots should only accommodate half the deck. The worshipers should also avoid movement and overcrowding, the source said.
Sources within the council’s inner circles said the government is recommending that the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption not be allowed from Friday to Monday.
READ HERE | As Easter weekend approaches, Ramaphosa says: ‘The threat of a third wave is real and always present’
Still, on-site consumption should be allowed until 23:00. The curfew must be maintained from midnight until 04:00.
The beaches, parks and recreation centers will remain open but there must be a strict control of physical distancing.
It will include the use of masks and there should be no loud music. The government has also recommended that restaurants, bars and shebeens remain open.
READ | ‘People will not stop Easter events’ despite looming threat of government restrictions
Only 250 people should be allowed inside, keeping a distance of 1.5 m. Other gatherings that include social and political events should also be allowed. Only 250 people should be allowed inside the venues and 500 outside at a distance of 1.5 m.
The maximum number of people who can attend funerals is 100 for a two-hour service.
The meeting also recognized that interprovincial travel contributes significantly to the spread of the virus, but the government recommends that it be allowed with established protocols.
The president is now expected to address his Cabinet with the Covid-19 proposal before making an official announcement.
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