The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs(COGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma designated under section 3 and 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002), has gazetted a notice which moves the country to Adjusted Level 3 as announced by the President.
The massive surge in new infections has necessitated that we must once again tighten restrictions on the movement of persons and gatherings, as such, after consultations with Premiers, Mayors and other stakeholder in the Presidential Coordinating Council(PCC), Cabinet has therefore decided to move the country to Alert Level 3. The Minister also published regulations relating to alert level 3.
It is important for all persons and Organisations to ensure compliance by adhering to the regulations.
The move to Alert Level 3 will affect several aspects of our lives and may require changes to activities that we had already planned. This will be in an effort to protect as many people as possible. It is up to each of us to ensure that we work together to defeat Covid.
Communities, industries, businesses and entities, both private and in the public sector, must operate within the Adjusted Alert Level 3 regulations as amended and gazetted.
Under Alert Level 3, the following will apply:
– It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that always covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces and it is a criminal offence not to do so. This means that the owners and managers of public buildings, centres, shops, restaurants, taxis and buses all have a responsibility to ensure that people on their premises or in their vehicles wear masks.
– Every person is obliged to observe curfew time from 22H00 until 04H00 daily, unless a person has a permit.
– Non-essential establishments like restaurants, bars and fitness centres will need to close by 9pm to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
– All gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 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. These includes religious services, political events and social gatherings, as well as restaurants, bars, taverns and similar places.
– Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed. Night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.
– The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption will only be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday. This excludes public holidays. Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 9pm.
Alcohol consumption in all public spaces, such as beaches and parks, is strictly forbidden.
Throughout our response to the pandemic, we have sought to take measures that are appropriate and proportionate to the threat of infection, hence we call for changes in behaviour as it can make a huge difference.
Although over 1 million people have already been given vaccines there is no room for complacency. We cannot let our guard down now as the risk of the third wave is very real and has already started in certain parts of the country.
All people in the country are urged to be cautious and continue observing non-pharmacetical interventions against COVID-19 in an effort to mitigate the rapid spread and the increasing infections. (Wear a mask at all times, social distance, avoid large crowds and gatherings, and wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer).
We must sustain our commitment to remain responsive, agile and compassionate as we work to save lives and protect the livelihoods of all South Africans.
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