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By Clinton Moodley 
21h ago
The holiday season will look different this year due to the pandemic. During Monday night’s address to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa shared new restrictions due to rising infections across the country.
While it didn’t shut down travel entirely, it did make some amendments to the current tier 1 restriction.
The Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, also emphasized in a speech on Monday that people traveling outside the country should be aware of the lockdown restrictions before leaving.
Here’s everything South Africans need to know before traveling this holiday season:
Follow all Covid-19 regulations when traveling
Ramaphosa said that increased travel was one of the contributing factors to the rise in infections.
He said: “Many people do not observe prevention measures when they move within cities, towns and rural areas, and between different areas.
“We have to recognize that the more we travel, the greater the potential for the virus to spread. That means wearing a mask when on public transportation and making sure the windows are open at all times.
“It also means reducing the number of people you spend time with if you travel to visit family and friends in other parts of the country,” he said.
Beaches
Ramaphosa said that in the areas with the highest infection rates, beaches and public parks will be closed during the holiday season from December 16, 2020 to January 3, 2021.
This will apply to all beaches in the Eastern Cape, as well as the Garden Route district in the Western Cape.
In KwaZulu-Natal, beaches and public parks will be closed on December 16, 25, 26 and 31, as well as January 1, 2 and 3.
“The beaches and public parks of the Northern Cape and Western Cape, except the Garden Route, will remain open to the public during the holiday season. Festivals, live music and live performances on the beaches are prohibited. Beaches and open parks to the public The public will only be open between 9 am and 6 pm.
The situation will be monitored daily by local authorities to ensure compliance with the regulations on gatherings and the prohibition of alcohol. In cases where there are large crowds or poor enforcement of security measures, specific beaches and recreational parks will be closed, “he said.
Longer curfew
Ramaphosa said curfew hours will be longer, starting at 11 p.m. and ending at 4 a.m.
“The curfew is meant to prevent late-night gatherings, while allowing restaurants, bars and taverns to continue operating and earning income.
“We should all remember that curfew hours also apply to Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve,” he said.
Wine tourism
Ramaphosa said registered wineries and wine farms can continue to offer wine tastings and sales to the public for off-site consumption on weekends.
“This exception is being made due to the vital contribution of these establishments to the tourism sector in various parts of the country.
The consumption of alcohol in all public spaces, such as beaches and parks, is strictly prohibited, “he said.
International travel
Pandor said during a briefing this week that many countries in the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing a second wave of the pandemic.
She said: “South Africans need to be cautious when traveling to these countries as they may feel distressed or even helpless abroad depending on the levels of blockage in the respective countries and with the likelihood that international flights will be canceled on short notice. .
“Please note that if you travel, you will travel at your own risk to these countries. Make sure you are familiar with the immigration and health entry requirements of the country you will be visiting and South Africa’s health entry requirements during the pandemic,” she said.
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