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The Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula.
- The validity of licenses – including learning, driving, vehicle and operating licenses – It has been extended.
- There are no changes in the carrying capacity of taxis on short and long-distance trips.
- With the change of the curfew under the new adjusted Level 3 regulations, all airlines will have to review their flight schedules.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula announced on Thursday another extension on the validity of learning and driving licenses, vehicle licenses, professional driving licenses, operating licenses and accreditation certificates for tourism services.
This additional extension is to allow authorities to clear arrears resulting from previous lockdown restrictions.
“All those that have expired between March 26, 2020 until December 31, 2020 and until February 28, 2020 with respect to operating licenses, will be considered valid until August 31, 2021 inclusive,” he said. Mbalula.
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On Monday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country would return to level 3 of the Covid-19 lockdown with a series of tight regulations.
This move was in response to the surge in Covid-19 infections in the middle of the holiday season.
Revised airline schedules
Among the enacted regulations released Tuesday, the curfew was adjusted from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Mbalula said the new curfew times will have a direct impact on airlines’ schedules.
Under the new adjusted Level 3 regulations, with the curfew adjustment, all airlines will have to review their flight schedules.
“As a consequence, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has already issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advising all airlines to consider curfew when reviewing their schedule,” said Mbalula.
“The implication is that both domestic and international flights should revise their flight schedules accordingly.”
READ | A fine of 1,500 rand for not wearing a mask, and double for breaking the curfew
Mbalula said that all international travelers are still required to provide a valid negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test certificate, obtained no more than 72 hours before the travel date from an accredited laboratory.
The minister added that South African authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of test certificates presented by PCR or Covid-19.
Public transport
Mbalula said there were no changes to public transport regulations that allow taxis to carry 100% of the capacity for short trips and 70% of the capacity for long-distance taxis and buses.
“Given that many people will travel long distances to return to their workplaces during the first weeks of January, we have put a proposal on the table to allow long-distance buses and taxis to complete their journeys should they be inside. of curfew hours.
“We are still in consultation with the relevant authorities on this matter.”
Liquor transport
With alcohol banned from returning for the third time since the shutdown was enforced in March, the minister listed the transportation exceptions.
According to the regulations of the Disaster Management Law:
- The transport of liquor to ports for export purposes is allowed.
- Transportation of liquor from manufacturing plants to storage facilities is permitted. However, such transportation may not be for the purpose of selling, dispensing, and distributing to customers.
- Transport of industrial alcohol is allowed for cleaning and personal protection purposes.
Marine transport
Nor have there been any changes in the directives that regulate the movement of ships.
“The ban on passenger and cruise ships remains in effect, and only ships that carry cargo and small boats can call at our ports,” said Mbalula.
“Crew changes are allowed according to current instructions.
“Adjusted Tier 3 means we must strike a fine balance between allowing economic activity and stopping the spread of the virus.
“Our commitment to preserving human life informs the nature of the restrictions, while remaining mindful of the need to sustain the economy.”
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