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Coronavirus pandemic
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South Africa, which had one of the tightest and earliest closures in the world, has announced further easing of coronavirus measures.
As of September 20, the overnight curfew will be reduced, meetings will be allowed at 50% of the venue’s capacity and alcohol will be sold again.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation.
But the rules on social distancing and wearing masks will remain in effect.
South Africa, which entered a national lockdown on March 27, has so far reported more than 650,000 confirmed infections, with more than 15,000 deaths.
However, the number of new cases has dropped from about 12,000 a day in July to less than 2,000.
What did President Ramaphosa say?
“Now is the time to return our country, its people and our economy to a situation that is more normal, that is more like the lives we lived six months ago,” Ramaphosa said.
“It is time to move on to what will become our new normal as long as the coronavirus is with us.”
The president announced that following consultations with health experts and officials across South Africa, the country would reduce its current alert level 2 to level 1 starting at midnight on September 20.
- Social, religious, political and other gatherings will be allowed, as long as the number of people does not exceed 50% of the normal capacity of a venue, up to a maximum of 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.
- The maximum number of people who can attend a funeral is increased from 50 to 100
- Places for exercise, recreation and entertainment, such as gyms and theaters, currently limited to 50 people, will be able to house up to 50% of the capacity of their place.
- The national curfew from 22:00 to 04:00 will begin two hours later
- Alcohol consumption will be allowed on the spot in authorized establishments
South Africa closed its borders on the star of closure, but President Ramaphose said international travel would resume from October 1. Those arriving in South Africa must submit a negative coronavirus test taken within three days of travel.
Ramaphosa also said that a new stimulus package was being prepared to rebuild an economy that has been devastated by the shutdown.
