It’s back to level 2, says Ramaphosa
Elections face outdoors limit of 500 people
WITH political parties preparing for the upcoming local government elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa last night eased Covid lockdown restrictions that will allow up to 500 people at outside public gatherings.
The relaxed restrictions, from lockdown level 3 to level 2 also mean that indoor gatherings like churches can now accommodate up to 250 people.
He told the nation that he had spoken to the leaders of political parties about the new regulations and had asked them to campaign responsibly ahead of the elections.
“These recommendations have been discussed at the National Coronavirus Command Council and with premiers, mayors and traditional leaders in the President’s Co-ordinating Council.
“They have also been discussed with the leaders of political parties represented in Parliament and with faith-based organisations.”
Based on these discussions, the Cabinet had therefore decided that the country should be moved from adjusted alert level 3 to adjusted alert level 2 with effect from today.
This means that: The hours of curfew will now start at 11pm and end at 4am.
• Non-essential establishments like restaurants, bars and fitness centres will need to close by 10pm. This is to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
• All gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.
• Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.
• This includes religious services, political events and social gatherings, as well as restaurants, bars, taverns and similar places.
• The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption will be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Friday.
• Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 10pm. Alcohol consumption remains prohibited in public spaces.
Ramaphosa said these measures would be reviewed in two weeks’ time depending on the state of the pandemic.
“We will also be providing further information on an approach to ‘vaccine passports’, which can be used as evidence of vaccination for various purposes and events.”
Ramaphosa said South Africa was fast becoming a “vaccination site”, saying over a quarter of all adult South Africans have received at least one vaccine dose and more than 7 million people were fully vaccinated.
He said the government has secured sufficient vaccines to vaccinate the entire adult population, and the supply of vaccines was no longer a constraint.
“However, we need to do much more, and we are doing more as we improve our ways of working. We are increasing the pace of vaccination and ensuring that we reach those that are most vulnerable.”