South Africa has officially moved back to COVID-19 lockdown Level 1. This was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his address to the nation last night, 28 February.
Here is a round-up of what you need to know about the move to Level 1 and accompanying regulations:
UIF TERS
The President mentioned that the UIF’s special COVID-19 wage support would be extended until 15 March 2021 for those sectors of the economy that have not been able to operate over this period. However, he warned that the country’s public finances were extremely constrained, and that such relief measures could not remain in place indefinitely.
Re-opening of borders
The 20 land borders that were open before will remain open. The 33 land borders which were closed will remain closed.
Air Travel
International air travel is restricted to the following airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport:
- King Shaka International Airport;
- Cape Town International Airport:
- Lanseria International Airport; and
- Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.
Long -haul flight departures and landings are permitted during the hours of curfew.
All international travellers arriving at the airports must provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID –19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel.
In the event of the traveller’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative COVID -19 test, the traveller will be required to do an antigen test on arrival at his or her own cost and in the event of a traveller testing positive for COVID -19, he or she will be required to isolate him or herself at his or her own cost, for a period of 10 days.
Hotels
Hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, timeshare facilities. resorts and guest houses are allowed full capacity of the available rooms for accommodation, with patrons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other when in common spaces.
Gatherings
The maximum number of people allowed at any gathering is 100 people indoors or 250 people outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.
Curfew
The nationwide curfew has been relaxed and will now be from 00h00 to 4am. Apart from permitted workers, no person may be outside their place of residence during curfew.
Establishments, including restaurants and bars, will need to close by no later than 23h00 in order to ensure their customers and staff are able to return home prior to the start of the curfew.
Alcohol
The sale of alcohol will be permitted, according to normal licence provisions. However, no alcohol may be sold during the hours of curfew.
Wearing of masks
The adjusted Level 3 regulations made every individual legally responsible for wearing a mask in public, and this requirement remains unchanged. A person who does not wear a cloth mask covering over the nose and mouth in a public place will be committing an offence and is at the risk of being arrested and prosecuted. On conviction, they will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.
Click here to read the President’s full statement.
