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 on 25 July 2021.
Our Risk-Adjusted Strategy for managing the pandemic always sought to ensure that we respond proportionally to secure lives and livelihoods. The third wave and the Delta variant have led to a massive surge in new infections, but the third wave is now showing some signs of decline. The decline in new infections means the measures are effective. This however does not mean that we should be complacent. It is now time to work together to ensure that we ramp up vaccinations, whilst we continue to observe all non-pharmaceutical interventions against Covid.
The decision of Cabinet to move the country to Alert Level 3 is meant to ensure an appropriate and proportionate response to the current situation. Our priority is still to break the chain of transmission by reducing person-to-person contact and thereby help to flatten the curve.
It is important for all persons, businesses, organisations and all levels of community structures to ensure compliance and adherence to the regulations in an effort to save lives.
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 adhere to appropriate social distancing and wear masks that cover their nose and mouth.
It is important to remember that we all have the responsibility to implement the regulations. It is important to note that it is a criminal offence to have people on-premises exceeding the maximum number of customers or employees allowed as per the regulations.
Under Alert Level 3, the following measures are to be in place across the country:
– The hours of curfew starting at 10pm and end at 4am.
– Interprovincial travel for leisure allowed.
– Non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars and fitness centres may be opened. These will have to close by 9pm to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
– Gatherings will be allowed but 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. Gatherings include religious services, political events and social gatherings. The limits on venue capacity also apply to restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, 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 and after-funeral gatherings are still not allowed.
– The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption will be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday. Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 8pm.
– Schools will re-open on Monday the 26th of July, according to strict health protocols and other measures announced by the Minister of Basic Education.
Vaccination is proceeding well and it is one of the most effective weapons we are implementing in the fight against COVID-19. As a result, we have now administered more than 6.3 million vaccines, with over 10 per cent of our population having received a vaccine dose. As of the 1st of September 2021, people between the ages of 18 and 34 will be vaccinated. This will be in addition to the age groups that are currently eligible, which is everyone over 35 years of age.
We thank those collaborating with us and the active support of other social partners
Let’s continue to be cautious and adhere to all non-pharmaceutical interventions.
You can download the full gazette
R. 650 Disaster Management Act (57/2002): Determination of Alert Level…………….44895
R. 650 Disaster Management Act (57/2002): Determination of Alert Level…………….44895
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