Level 1: what’s in and what’s out

Under Level 1 Lockdown that kicked in on Monday, one of the biggest steps to helping the floundering economy is the opening up on 1 October of the South African borders.

In the tourism and hospitality industry in the Garden Route, it sparked a flicker of hope that this will lead to a gradual rise in international visitors in the coming months.

Level 1

Eighteen land border airports and three international airports - OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airport - will resume international travel. The 35 land border airports currently closed will remain closed.

All visitors from Africa are allowed. Visitors from as yet undisclosed countries, where infections are high, will temporarily not be allowed.

All commercial seaports will open, but passenger-ferrying cruise ships will not be allowed to offload.

On arrival, travellers will need to show a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours, otherwise they will be quarantined at their own cost. Those presenting symptoms will remain in quarantine until a repeat Covid-19 test is done.

All travellers must download the Covid Alert South Africa mobile app. Visa applications at embassies will be permitted from next week and long-term visas will be reactivated immediately.

Long distance (200km +) for buses and taxis remain at 70% passenger capacity.

Curfew from midnight to 04:00. Restrictions on sporting events remain in place with no spectators or international sporting events allowed. 100 people (or half the venue capacity if 1,5m distancing is not possible) are allowed at funerals. Night vigils are still prohibited.

Conferences, meetings, concerts, cinemas, theatres, weddings and political gatherings are permitted with a maximum of 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors - no more than 50% of venue capacity.

Casinos, hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, timeshare facilities, resorts and guest houses are limited to 50% of capacity.

Night clubs remain closed. Gatherings at gyms, fitness centres and swimming pools are allowed, limited to 50%.

Owners and operators of facilities where gatherings are hosted (including restaurants and taverns) must display an occupancy certificate.

Persons at gatherings must wear a mask and keep a 1,5m distance from others.

Initiation practices remain prohibited. Retail sale of alcohol permitted Mondays to Fridays, from 09:00 to 17:00.