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President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa will return to lockdown level 3, starting at midnight tonight.
In a speech on Monday night (December 28), Ramaphosa said the move is being made to further limit super spreader events and will adjust previous Level 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.
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.
“Almost 27,000 South Africans are known to have died from Covid-19. The number of new coronavirus infections is increasing at an alarming rate. Infections are increasing in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and Gauteng. Infections are increasing alarmingly in Limpopo, ”Ramaphosa said.
“Infections are on the rise, in part, because we, as human beings, are social beings. We feel the need to visit friends and family, attend religious services, and go to parties. But this is a time of danger, “the president warned.
The infections are being driven by super-spreading events, the president said, including end-of-the-year functions, family reunions, and musical and cultural events.
“This is where the most infections occur. This is cause for alarm and points to an extreme lack of vigilance. We have lowered our guard and now we are paying the price, ”he said. The venues are also overcrowded and prevention and social distancing protocols are not followed.
Sale of alcohol
“One of the most difficult areas of regulation relates to the sale of alcohol,” said the president. “The alcoholic beverage industry is a major employer and a major contributor to our economy. Our priority at this time, however, must be saving lives, ”he said.
The president said that alcohol consumption has exacerbated the stresses placed on health centers, increasing the number of trauma cases in hospitals.
It is worrying that hospitals are reporting that they are at or near full capacity, while healthcare workers are exhausted and infected in greater numbers. “They are almost at breaking point,” said the president. “All for our actions and for not taking responsibility. Unless we act now and act decisively … thousands more will lose their lives. “
“The operation of nightclubs and businesses dedicated to the sale and transportation of liquor will not be allowed. The Level 3 restrictions will remain in effect until January 15, 2021, ”said Ramaphosa.
“These regulations may be revised in the coming weeks if we see a sustained decline in infections and hospital admissions,” Ramaphosa said.
Under the new lock level 3, the following applies:
- All indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days, with the exception of funerals and places like restaurants and gyms. These exceptions will be clarified in the official regulations.
- The national curfew will run from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Other than essential services, no one will be allowed out during this time. All establishments will close at 8:00 p.m. and a more specific list will be published soon.
- Every individual will be legally responsible for wearing a mask in public. It is now mandatory for everyone to wear a mask in a public place. Violators will be guilty of a crime and could be prosecuted. They could be liable for a fine or imprisonment, or both.
- Sales of alcohol at points of sale and consumption on site are prohibited. The prohibition of public consumption of alcohol is maintained.
- The companies will continue to operate, subject to guidelines. The operation of nightclubs and businesses that depend on the sale of alcohol will not be allowed.
- All beaches, dams, rivers and public parks and public swimming pools in hotspot areas will be closed to the public.
These measures will be in effect until January 15, 2021, at which time they will be reviewed based on the situation, Ramaphosa said.
A notable change is that, starting at midnight, it is mandatory for everyone to wear a mask in a public space. A person who does not wear a cloth mask that covers the nose and mouth in a public place is committing an offense.
A person not wearing a mask could be arrested and prosecuted. In the event of conviction, they will be fined or imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months, or a fine and imprisonment.
This is a drastic measure, but it is now necessary to ensure compliance with the most basic preventive measures, the president said.
People living and moving within hotspot areas are advised to limit travel as much as possible.
The following areas have been declared hotspot regions:
- Eastern Cape: Sarah Baartman, Chris Hani, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, Amathole, OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Ugu, Harry Gwala, Ilembe, King Cetshwayo.
- Gauteng: West Rand, Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni.
- west cape– West Coast District, Overberg District, Winelands District, Cape Town, Central Karoo District are hotspots. This is in addition to the Garden Route district.
- northwest: District of Bojanala.
- Limpopo: the district of Waterberg and the district of Capricorn.
Read: South Africa surpasses 1 million Covid-19 cases
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