Life under Level Four
What to expect as South Africa moves to coronavirus alert Level 4
The country may have moved from coronavirus (COVID-19) alert Level Five to Level Four on 1 May, but the road ahead is still steeped with sacrifices and curfews that need to be obeyed.
Government said Level Four is not a call for free reign for all and still expects people to stay at home.
Under the Level Four COVID-19 regulations, which were gazetted by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, 1.5 million workers will return to their work posts.
Movement of people
While more people will now be going to work, Minister Dlamini Zuma stressed that people should stay at home after knocking off.
“It's not a licence to visit your relatives or friends. So, between 8pm and 5am, if you're not having a permit to be out, you have to be at home.”
Those who live in one province but work in a neighbouring province will be permitted to travel daily, but must be in possession of a permit.
Children who visited relatives before the lockdown will be permitted to move back home.
The regulations on funerals have not changed and close relatives still need a death certificate and permission from the police station or magistrate to attend.
Movements between provinces, except for the specified circumstances, is not allowed.
“They're on a different level of the infection, others have higher rates of infections and we don't want those at a higher rate of infection to keep moving to those at a moderate rate of infection," the Minister said.
The borders – sea borders and air and land ports of entry – are still closed except for goods that are arriving or leaving the country.
The movement of people across borders is only allowed under exceptional circumstances, for instance, if you are a South African stuck in another country.
“When they return, they must be quarantined for 14 days before they go to their families, homes or work because some will be coming from very high-risk countries where the infection is higher than it is here.”
With more people returning to work rail and buses and other forms of transport will now operate under strict guidelines.
Transportation of cargo and all agricultural products, such as wine and wool, among others, will open for exportation.
People are still barred from going to beaches, flea-markets, night clubs and parks. Hairdressers' doors will still be closed under Level Four because of the risk, despite a lot of people requesting this service.
However, you can still go out and buy winter clothes, heaters and bedding to keep warm to curb the flu outbreak as winter approaches.
Cigarettes, alcohol and exercise
The sale of cigarettes and alcohol remains prohibited, said the Minister.
“We debated the matter and looked at it and decided we must continue as we are when it comes to cigarettes and tobacco products and we decided not to open the sale.”
The Minister said the reasons are health-related and include how tobacco is shared amongst people, which encourages the spread of the virus.
Any form of liquor is also not permitted to be distributed.
“The non-sale of alcohol has freed the hospitals; our emergency hospitals and units are normal now. Our intensive care units are not filled with people who have been stabbed or shot or raped or so on.”
The Minister said this stance is assisting in fighting COVID-19.
“Besides that, alcohol attracts crowds.Very few people enjoy drinking alone. Besides that, it means that the police can do what they need to do and all the enforcement officers. The hospital can look after the sick and not the emergencies that come from the affects of alcohol,” she explained.
Exercise is allowed but only under strict conditions.
Under the new regulations, people can cycle, run and walk within their neighbourhood, within a 5km radius, between 6 am and 9 am.
Work places must be COVID-19 ready
“We're still encouraging people who can work at home to work at home.”
For those who will be returning to work, the Minister urged industries to prepare their workplaces.
She said those who do not adhere to the COVID-19 regulations will be fined.
Under Level Four, workers in manufacturing, transport and logistics; agriculture, forestry and fishing; mining and quarrying; finance and business, construction; information and communications; and wholesale and retail, among others, can return to work.
Under the regulations, workers in specified industries can return to the workplace subject to:
• Strict health protocols and
social distancing rules.
• A phased-in approach to allow for measures to make the workplace COVID-ready.
• The return taking place in a manner that avoids and reduces the risks of infection. To view all Level Four regulations gazetted, go to: www.gpwonline. co.za
“We’re still encouraging people who can work at home to work at home.”