Economy starts to breathe
Some welcome freedom will be allowed to South Africans from Monday 1 June after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the easing from Level 4 lockdown to Level 3.
A measure of relief for the economy is also in sight as wholesale and retail trade resumes full operation and the commercial construction industry opens after two months of forced inactivity.
The curfew on the movement of people is lifted and exercise at any time of the day is allowed, but not in groups.
Smokers will still not be able to light up, but a run or walk on the beach or a public park could provide some relief of frustration levels if the draft amendments to the lockdown regulations are passed.
Alcohol sales during certain hours will be allowed, and strictly for home consumption.
The president stressed that with the economy being opened up, the safety of all workers is a matter of concern.
Therefore it is subject to the observance of strict health protocols and social distancing rules. More public servants will also return to work.
"Our priority is to reduce the opportunities for the transmission of the virus and create a safe environment for everyone," he said.
Herewith a summary of the rules in Level 3 (the final regulations will only be published at a later stage and may change):
Trade and industry
Wholesale and retail trade will be fully opened, including stores, spaza shops, and informal traders. E-commerce remains open.
Restaurants will be allowed to offer delivery, collection, and drive-through services.
Construction industry may resume.
Domestic air travel is prohibited, except for business travel, which will be phased in on dates to be announced.
Conferences, events, entertainment, and sporting activities will still not be allowed.
Hairdressers, beauty salons, makeup and nail salons remain closed.
Other sectors that opened previously, such as agriculture and forestry, utilities, medical services, food production and manufacture of hygiene products, will remain fully open.
Domestic passenger air travel
Allowed for business travel only, to be phased in on dates to be announced.
Gatherings, meetings
All gatherings are prohibited, except for funerals, with no more than 50 people.
Meetings in the workplace for work purposes are allowed.
Public places that are closed
Gyms and fitness centres
Sports grounds and fields and swimming pools, except for training of professional athletes and professional non-contact sports matches.
Flea markets
Fêtes and bazaars
Night clubs
Casinos
Conference facilities
Any on-consumption premises, including bars, taverns and shebeens
Theatres and cinemas
Museums
Churches
Tourism attractions and entertainment venues, except to provide private self-drive excursion activities.
Private and public game reserves, except if required for remaining tourists.
Accommodation establishments remain closed, except for
Remaining tourists
Persons for work purposes Persons in quarantine or isolation
Alcohol and cigarettes
Tobacco product sales are prohibited. Alcohol may be sold for home consumption only, under strict conditions, on specified days and for limited hours.
Taverns, restaurants, clubs and accommodation establishments are prohibited from selling liquor.
Off-consumption premises selling liquor may only operate from Monday to Thursday according to current liquor licence operating hours.
Curfew and exercise
The curfew on the movement of people is lifted.
Exercise at any time of the day is allowed, but not in groups. Exercise in public parks and on beaches will be allowed, but braai facilities, exercise equipment, playgrounds or ablutions are off-limits.
Universities
33% of the student population will be allowed to return to campuses, which include: All groups that have already returned. Final-year students who require access to laboratories, technical equipment, data, etc.
Students in all years of study that require clinical training.
Post-graduate students who require laboratory equipment and other technical equipment.
Schools
Schools resume classes for Grades 7 and 12 learners.