South Africa will move to Level 3 of the Coronavirus lockdown from 1 June, and this means good news for most and bad news for others.
While it will be legal to buy dop again, smokers will have to be patient a little while longer.
In making the announcement last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “Alcohol may be sold for home consumption only, under strict conditions, on specified days and for limited hours.”
And despite the pleas of South Africa’s 11 million smokers, the president said: “The sale of tobacco products will remain prohibited in alert Level 3 due to the health risks associated with smoking.”
Covid-19 primarily affects the lungs.
South Africa has 22 583 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 429 people have died from the Coronavirus since the country’s first case was confirmed on 5 March.
In further bad news, Ramaphosa said while most of the economy will be open, high risk activities would remain closed; these include restaurants, gyms, bars and shebeens, beauty salons, entertainment and sporting events and non-business domestic travel.
The country’s borders will also remain closed for international travel.
In addition, people will now be able to exercise any time of the day provided they don’t do it in groups.
He warned that areas where the curve does not flatten will be put back under Level 4 or even Level 5: “I want to emphasise that the easing of some restrictions does not mean that the threat posed by the Coronavirus has passed or that our fight against the disease is over.
“In fact, the risk of a massive increase in infections is now greater than it has been since the start of the outbreak in our country.”
Ramaphosa said while most of the large metros are considered high risk, government was particularly concerned about Cape Town and the Western Cape at large.
The death toll in the province is more than double that of the entire country and last night stood at 300, with 13 969 infections.
He said hotspots would be carefully monitored.
Large gatherings will remain banned, including religious gatherings, except for funerals which may still not be attended by more than 50 people.
The 8pm to 5am nighttime curfew has also been lifted, but Ramaphosa warned that people must still remain in their homes and only leave on essential business, like work, education, to get medical care or to shop.
People who are over 60 and who are suffering from underlying diseases are encouraged to stay at home.
Ramaphosa reiterated that Grade 7s and matrics will return to school on 1 June.
He said the school calendar will be revised and curriculum trimmed so that the school year can be salvaged.
He added that no parent is forced to return their children to school if they are concerned about their safety.
He urged commuters to always wear masks when travelling, to keep a safe distance.
He said businesses are currently looking at how they can operate in order to reduce congestion in public transport.