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Police Minister Bheki Cele said the SAPS will stubbornly enforce the new level 3 lockdown regulations, targeting people who walk without masks, wander after curfew and try to move alcohol.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday (December 28) that South Africa would move to lockdown level 3 with immediate effect, in an attempt to stem the alarming rise in Covid-19 infections in the country.
Ramaphosa said the measure aims to further limit super spreader events and will adjust previous Tier 3 regulations to keep the economy as open as possible.
It will also allow the government to focus on social distancing measures and aims to ease pressure on hospitals and healthcare workers.
The change follows meetings held by the president and his cabinet as part of the National Coronavirus Command Council on Sunday, and comes as the country surpasses one million accumulated Covid-19 infections and records daily increases.
On December 28, 7,458 new cases were registered, bringing the accumulated total since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,011,871. The country has reported 27,071 deaths from the virus, according to the latest data from the Health Department.
“We have let down our guard and sadly now we are paying the price,” Ramaphosa said. “We can only weather this storm if we immediately and fundamentally change our way of thinking.”
Drastic measures
The announcement was followed by the release of the regulations on Tuesday by Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and an update on the status of the virus in the country by Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize. .
According to regulations, the sale of alcohol has again been banned, to decrease the number of trauma cases in South African hospitals, Mkhize said. Another notable change is that it is now a crime in South Africa not to wear a mask in a public space.
If a person is found not to be wearing a mask in public, they could face a fine or be arrested, and if found guilty they could be jailed for six months.
Cele welcomed the decision to criminalize the use of non-masks, saying that police have long been fighting for people to wear their masks. He said people need to know that there are consequences for violating regulations, and “SAPS will not waste the opportunity” to present them.
“If you don’t wear a mask (in public), you will definitely be arrested. He will fine you and we will arrest you, ”he said.
“Wear a mask at all times in public places, or you will become a client of the South African police. Unfortunately you will get a criminal record. These are the consequences. “
The masks should cover the nose and mouth.
The minister said that, regarding alcohol, the SAPS will also clamp down on rapes. He stressed that no movement of alcohol will be allowed, outside of the regulations.
“You don’t have to move alcohol from point A to point B. Don’t put it in the trunk (of the car), don’t take it to the side to drink it there. Alcohol must stay where it is. You are only allowed to drink the alcohol you have at home. “
He said the SAPS will also be tough on those who violate the curfew.
Previously, when it came to curfew, the police would warn those who were away from home after hours. “Now we will not tell you to go home, we will give you a house,” he said.
Clarity in regulations
Nkosazana Damini-Zuma cleared up some points of confusion around the confinement regulations, particularly in regards to travel and social gatherings.
All social gatherings are prohibited for 14 days. – this means that private parties and friends gatherings are not allowed during the stipulated period. This will be reviewed after the 14 days.
Interprovincial travel is allowed – people are on vacation and need the freedom to return home. So interprovincial travel is allowed “for now,” Dlamini-Zuma said.
You can check the full regulations here.
Read: Ramaphosa pushes South Africa back to lockdown level 3 – alcohol sales banned again
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