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Level 1 lockdown rules for South Africa — what you can and can’t do

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Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma,

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Corporate Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has published updated regulations for South Africa’s adjusted alert level 1 lockdown in the Government Gazette.

The gazetting of the new lockdown rules follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Thursday that South Africa would move to Alert Level 1 as the country has officially exited its third wave of Covid–19 infections. The updated lockdown regulations published by Dlamini-Zuma are effective from 1 October 2021.

They are summarised below.

Curfew and mask mandate
It remains a criminal offence not to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth while in a public place, with certain exceptions.

Failing to comply with an instruction from an enforcement officer to wear a mask may result in a fine and/or imprisonment of up to six months.

Everyone is confined to their homes from 00:00 until 04:00 unless they are performing an essential service as determined by a cabinet minister, have a permit, or are attending to a security or medical emergency.

If you have arrived on a late flight and must travel from the airport during the hours of curfew, you will be allowed to do so provided that you have a valid boarding pass or a copy of the airline ticket.

The following establishments and venues must close by 23:00 to allow staff and patrons to get home before the start of the curfew.

Cinemas
Theatres
Casinos
Museums, galleries and archives
Public swimming pools
Beaches and public parks
Game parks, botanical gardens, aquariums, and zoos
Gyms and fitness centres
Restaurants, bars, shebeens, and taverns
Venues hosting auctions
Venues hosting professional sport
Venues hosting faith-based or religious gatherings
Venues hosting social, political, and cultural gatherings
Funerals
Funerals are permitted but are limited to a maximum of 100 attendees, depending on the capacity of the venue, and a maximum duration of two hours.

During a funeral, people must wear their masks and adhere to all health and safety protocols and social distancing measures. Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings remain forbidden.

If a venue can’t accommodate 100 people while maintaining social distancing of at least 1.5 metres between them, it is restricted to 50% of its total capacity.
Gatherings
Religious, social, political, and cultural gatherings are restricted to 750 people indoors and 2,000 people outdoors.

These restrictions apply to restaurants, bars, shebeens, casinos, and entertainment facilities. They also apply to conferencing, expo, and fitness centres.

If a venue can’t accommodate the number of people mentioned above while maintaining social distancing of at least 1.5 metres between them, it is restricted to 50% of its total capacity.

Initiation practices and post-initiation celebrations are permitted.
Alcohol
The sale of alcohol has been completely unrestricted.

Liquor stores and other licensed establishments can sell alcohol for off-site consumption during their licensed trading hours.

The sale of alcohol for on-site consumption is allowed subject to strict adherence to the curfew.
Premises closed to the public
Night clubs remain closed to the public.

Other premises may be closed if there is a risk of anyone being exposed to Covid–19 at the place in question.

Travel and transport
Bus and taxi services may not carry more than 70% of the licensed capacity for long-distance travel (200km or more).

Public transport may carry 100% of the licensed capacity for any trip not regarded as long-distance travel.

A driver, owner or operator of public transport must not allow anyone not wearing a face mask covering their nose and mouth to board their vehicle.

Inter-provincial travel is permitted.

What you are required to do
What you must do
  • Wear a cloth mask in public.
  • Keep a distance of 1.5m from other people.
  • Wash your hands regularly.
  • Avoid crowds and gatherings.
  • Sanitise surfaces regularly.
What is not allowed
  • No person may be evicted from their land.
Leaving your home
What is allowed
  • A person must wear a face mask while in a public place, except when undertaking vigorous exercise outdoors.
What is not allowed
  • Every person is confined to their place of residence from 20:00 until 04:00 daily.
Funerals
What is allowed
  • Attendance at a funeral is limited to 100 people.
  • If a venue can’t accommodate the maximum number of people while maintaining social distancing of 1.5m between everyone, it is limited to 50% of its total capacity.
  • A person must wear a face mask during a funeral and adhere to all health protocols and social distancing measures.
What is not allowed
  • Night vigils and post-funeral gatherings are not allowed.
  • Funerals may not be longer than two hours.
Gatherings and sporting events
What is allowed
  • Workplace gatherings for work purposes — all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
  • Religious, social, political, and cultural gatherings are restricted to 750 people indoors and 2,000 people outdoors.
  • Restaurants, bars, shebeens, taverns, conferences, expos, gyms, fitness centres, casinos, and entertainment facilities are also limited to a maximum of 750 people indoors and 2,000 people outdoors.
  • Initiation ceremonies and post-initiation celebrations are permitted.
  • If a venue can’t accommodate the maximum number of people while maintaining social distancing of at least 1.5 meters between everyone, it is restricted to 50% of its capacity.
What is not allowed
  • No spectators are allowed at the venue of a sports match.
  • No international sports events involving countries with a high Covid-19 infection risk are allowed.
Premises and places closed
What is allowed
  • Most businesses may operate, with certain exceptions.
What is not allowed
  • Night clubs remain closed to the public.
Opening of borders
What is allowed
  • Travelling to and from South Africa via air travel is allowed, subject to Covid-19 restrictions.
  • All international travellers must present a negative Covid-19 test or finance their own upon arrival.
  • International air travel is restricted to OR Tambo, King Shaka, Lanseria, Kruger Mpumalanga, and Cape Town International Airports.
  • The 20 land borders which were previously operational will remain fully operational.
What is not allowed
  • The 33 land borders which were closed will remain closed.
Public Transport
What is allowed
  • All public transport is allowed, with strict safety guidelines and the mandatory wearing of masks.
  • Bus and taxi services may carry 70% of their licensed capacity for long-distance trips of over 200km.
  • Bus and taxi services may carry 100% of their licensed capacity for trips shorter than 200km.
Beaches and Parks
What is allowed
  • Beaches, botanical gardens, aquariums, dams, zoos, and other public spaces are open to the public all day, except during the hours of the curfew.
What is not allowed
  • No consumption of alcohol is allowed in public places, except at licensed establishments.
Sale and Dispensing of Liquor
What is allowed
  • The sale of liquor for on-site or off-site consumption, as per standard licence conditions and in strict adherence to the curfew.
  • Transport of liquor.
Economic Sector
What is allowed
  • Most businesses may operate, with certain exceptions.
What is not allowed
  • Night clubs and international sports events involving high-risk Covid-19 countries are not allowed.
Movement between provinces
What is allowed
  • Inter-provincial travel is permitted.
Exercise and Sport
What is allowed
  • Exercise like walking, jogging, and cycling is allowed, except between the hours of curfew.

Source: News365

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