CAPE TOWN- As South Africa enters into Alert Level 2 of the national lockdown at midnight on Monday, many restrictions on social and economic activity have been lifted, including the sale of alcohol and tobacco.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma briefed the media on Monday on the gazetted regulations relating to the Covid-19 Level 2 restrictions.
"There is no desire to leave stringent prohibitions in place when they are no longer necessary. It is for this reason that we have lifted the restrictions in a number of areas but have maintained the curfew between 10pm and 4am,"she said.
The following changes will take effect under level 2:
- Liquor outlets will be allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday during the hours of 9am to 5pm only. Alcohol can be served at restaurants, bars and taverns, however, night clubs remain closed.
- The ban on the sale of tobacco has been lifted, but Dlamini-Zuma says smokers may not share their cigarettes.
- Social events and visiting friends and family at their places of residents is allowed under level 2 of lockdown, as long as there are no more than 10 visitors at a time. Health and hygiene protocols need to be observed.
- Interprovincial travel is now permitted.
- Accommodation, hospitality venues and tours will be permitted according to approved protocols to ensure social distancing.
- Gyms and fitness centres may reopen with a maximum of 50 people at any one time.
- Restrictions on beaches and parks have been lifted but also subject to prevention protocols and directions to be issued.
- The resumption of water-based activities and certain categories of tourism activities, including boat-based whale watching, scuba-diving, shark cage diving, kayaking, river rafting, and speedboat rides have also reopened.
- Certain environmental activities may reopen including zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and rehabilitation centres.
- Theatres and cinemas may operate with a maximum of 50 people at a time
- Weddings, funerals, and other gathers are permitted with a maximum of 50 people, however, night vigils are not permitted.
The following restrictions will remain in place:
- It remains mandatory to wear a mask in public.
- Current restrictions on international travel will remain in place.
- No gatherings of more than 50 people will be permitted.
- Spectators will not be permitted at sporting events.
- The curfew will remain in place between the hours of 10pm and 4am.
"It is our hope that in undertaking these activities, we'll maintain the strict protocols of social distancing, the wearing of masks, sanitisation, and washing of hands. We must be more vigilant than before," said Dlamini-Zuma.
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