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By Marvin Charles 
1 hour ago
Cape Town: It is a crucial moment when the country switches to a tight level 3 of the national blockade. The new restrictions come as the country’s health system collapses under heavy pressure.
On Tuesday, the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) briefed the media on the new regulations.
Health Minister Zwelie Mkhizi said: “We are concerned that the wave will be much higher in Gauteng specifically. Most of the new cases today are from KwaZulu-Natal with 2,275 (30.5%), followed by the Western Cape with 2,191 cases (29.4%), Gauteng with 1,849 cases (24.8%) and the Eastern Cape with 384 cases (5.1%). “
Mkhizi said 11,256 patients are currently hospitalized, representing 8.3% of our active cases. Of these, 3,543 are on oxygen and 604 on ventilators.
“The safety of our healthcare workers remains paramount and we are concerned about the increasing number of professionals who become infected with Covid-19 during this second wave,” he said.
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation about the current Covid-19 crisis. His speech followed meetings with stakeholders and government officials on Sunday as South Africa passed its one million case mark.
Health authorities have been calling on the government to implement stricter measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. Under the new level 3 regulations, the curfew has now been moved to 9 pm-6am, the sale of alcohol is prohibited, funerals can only be attended by a maximum of 50 people, and the wearing of masks is mandatory. .
Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said: “You are not allowed to operate businesses such as nightclubs, bars and taverns and those associated with the sale of alcohol. Not all faith meetings are allowed during the two weeks. Interprovincial trips are allowed because people are already on vacation and not at home. “
Previously, under level 3 of the national blockade, the sale of tobacco products was prohibited. South Africa moved to level 3 in September.
The ban on the sale of tobacco opened the floodgates to the illicit market. He incited British American Tobacco to take the government to court to force them to reverse the decision.
The Western Cape Superior Court ruled earlier this month that the tobacco sale ban “was neither necessary nor consistent with the constitution.”
The court frustrated the arguments presented by Dlamini Zuma’s representation and declared unconstitutional and invalid Regulation 45 promulgated under the Disaster Management Act, under which the prohibition was established.
Asking for clarity regarding the sale of tobacco, Dlamini-Zuma said: “I did not mention the sale of tobacco, but tobacco is allowed. For now.”
The police are expected to crack down on those who fail to comply with the new regulations.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said the police would not be afraid to make an arrest. “Our job will be to enforce the law. The subject of the masks has been a problem. Now law enforcement has been intensified. When it comes to alcohol, it cannot be consumed anywhere. The movement of alcohol is not allowed. Our eyes are open to the front of the black market, ”said Cele.
Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde welcomed the temporary restrictions.
“However, we continue to oppose the closure of outdoor spaces such as beaches and parks. This goes against scientific advice that well-ventilated outdoor spaces are safer.
“All restrictions introduced must be reconsidered after 14 days and removed where they are no longer necessary. They shouldn’t be in place for a day longer than is necessary to save our healthcare system, and they should be analyzed based on their results. “
Cape argus
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