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Masks are mandatory, indoor and outdoor gatherings are prohibited, and a curfew will apply.
South Africa has announced stricter restrictions once again to combat the rise in coronavirus infections driven by a new, faster-spreading variant.
Among other restrictions announced late on Monday, indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited and a curfew will be applied from 9 pm (19:00 GMT) to 6 am (04:00 GMT).
Only workers with permits, including medical and security personnel or emergency personnel, can move during curfew.
“From now on, it is mandatory for everyone to wear a mask in a public space. A person who does not wear a cloth mask that covers his nose and mouth in a public place is committing a crime, ”President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised address.
“Upon conviction, they will be fined or imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months, or a fine and imprisonment.”
Extensive restrictions were imposed after authorities confirmed that a new variant of the coronavirus, known as 501.V2, was found circulating in the country. [Shafiek Tassiem/Reuters]
Ramaphosa also announced that non-essential establishments, including shops, restaurants, bars and all cultural venues, must close at 8pm (18:00 GMT), while the sale of alcohol will not be allowed at the outlets or drinking alcohol on the spot. .
The new rules will last 14 days and can be revised in the coming weeks if they see a sustained decline in infections and hospital admissions, he added.
On Sunday, South Africa’s health ministry reported a grim milestone of one million infections, the highest on the continent.
So far, the new virus has killed more than 27,000 people in South Africa.
The broad restrictions were imposed after authorities confirmed that a new variant of the coronavirus had been found circulating in the country.
Known as 501.V2, the new strain was discovered by a team of South African scientists who have been tracking the genetics of the virus.
The variant appears to be focused on the south and southeast of the country and has been dominating the findings from collected samples since October.
“It was doctors and healthcare workers who were asking for these restrictions,” said Haru Mutasa of Al Jazeera, reporting from Port Elizabeth, which has now become the country’s coronavirus hotspot.
“They said that they are not really surprised by the increase in infections, what surprised them is how quickly it happened,” he added.
The Health Ministry reported more than a million infections, the highest number on the continent. So far, the new virus has killed more than 27,000 people in South Africa. [Shafiek Tassiem/Reuters]]
The outbreak in Africa’s hardest hit country appears to be accelerating to the million mark crossed nine days after the country reported 900,000 cases.
Several hospitals and medical centers have reported that their wards are full of coronavirus patients and many health workers cancel their vacations to cope with the large influx.
According to Mutasa, people have violated basic restrictions, traveling around the country, visiting friends and family without wearing masks or practicing social distancing.
“In the Eastern Cape Province […] people tell you that they had up to seven people in the family who died from COVID. You hear stories of people who attended funerals and got sick, “he said.
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