Alcohol will be allowed when level 3 kicks in

The government finally provided some clarity yesterday on what will and will not be allowed under lockdown level 3.

And no-one will be more pleased than the country’s tipplers.

After more than two months, they will be allowed to legally buy alcohol between 9am and 5pm from Mondays to Thursdays.

As expected, tobacco sales remained prohibited, though the restriction is being challenged in court.

Because of the legal action, co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma elected not to comment on the matter during a briefing in Pretoria yesterday.

One of the biggest changes is that domestic workers will be allowed to return to work.

Trade and industry minister Ebrahim Patel said domestic workers would be subjected to strict protocols.

“Even as domestic workers return, it is absolutely vital that it be done so safely,” he said.

Patel said level 3 of the lockdown would see almost eightmillion people returning to their places of work.

For those who love their exercise and sports, level 3 will also bring much relief.

People will now be allowed to exercise any time from 6am to 6pm.

There is a catch, however: those wanting to surf or run at the beach or in a park will have to wait until at least level 2.

The government has opened the way for some noncontact professional sport to take place behind closed doors.

This can mean a return of non-contact major sports events — such as golf‚ tennis‚ most athletics events‚ and perhaps even cricket — in empty venues next month.

As the new regulations stand‚ contact sports such as rugby and football remain prohibited‚ even in closed stadiums. However‚ such a ruling does appear to open the way for contact sports to at least resume non-contact fitness training in level 3‚ seemingly paving the way for matches to resume behind closed doors at level 2.

The restrictions governing funerals remain in place, meaning there may not be more than 50 people in attendance and permits will be required.

Dlamini-Zuma also provided more details on rules for places of worship when they open on June 1.

Despite Sunday being declared a national day of prayer for Covid-19, Dlamini-Zuma said worshippers could not gather because it was before June 1, when the level 3 restrictions kick in.

Instead, the prayers should be from home or digitally.

“Religious gatherings in places of worship will be allowed only from June 1, so long as health, hygiene and social distancing is observed.

“This means we must maintain 1.5m between worshippers, with a maximum of 50 congregants, should the chosen venue be able to accommodate such.

“If the venue is too small for 50 people at 1.5m apart, it means there should be [fewer] congregants at that venue.”

Those in the industrial sector are already champing at the bit to return to work on Monday.

East London construction firm owner Nceba Matabeni said level 3 came as a great relief.

“Things will get better now as the economy opens up. Our problem as construction workers was the lack of cashflow during the lockdown.

“We weren’t submitting invoices so that meant no cashflow,” he said.

“We were appreciative of the relief funds offered by the government.

“However, small businesses that faced compliance issues battled to receive the funds.

“This means small businesses suffered the most during this lockdown.”