From 1 May, national lockdown regulations to fight the Coronavirus will be relaxed and you will even be allowed to go to the shop to buy a pakkie entjies.
President Cyril Ramaphosa last night outlined a phased relaxation of the lockdown and an alert system with clearly defined levels of restriction which can be imposed by the National Command Council as necessary.
Ramaphosa said the government has identified five levels; South Africa is currently on level 5, but will enter into level 4 from next Friday.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19 #CoronaVirusSA pic.twitter.com/GMHZwtcmd6
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA)
“Beyond Thursday 30 April, we will implement a risk adjusted strategy to take a deliberate and cautious approach to ease lockdown restrictions,” he said.
“Some businesses would be allowed to resume operations under specific conditions.
“The return of the workforce will be no more than one-third per business. A work from home strategy is still encouraged.”
While shopkeepers will be able to sell cigarettes again, the ban on liquor sales remains in place and it is illegal to buy or sell alcohol.
Similarly, the public must remain at home and maintain social distancing and those who are forced to leave their homes on essential business should wear masks.
Ramaphosa said mense would also be allowed to resume exercise and some outdoor activities under strict conditions.
Many of the relaxed measures would be tailor-made according to the needs of the various provinces and metropolitan areas.
What does the easing of lockdown restrictions to level four mean:
* You’ll be able to buy non-essential items from stores already open to sell food - but not alcohol.
* The sale of cigarettes will be allowed.
* Postal delivery will resume.
* E-hailing and taxis will be allowed at any time, but with limits on how many passengers each may carry.
* Industries to reopen include: agriculture (including wine-making), open-cast mining, and all financial and professional services.
* Of the restrictions that remain in place, are the indefinite closure of sit-in restaurants and hotels, bars and shebeens, conference and convention centres, entertainment venues, including cinemas, theatres, and concerts, as well as sporting events.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ramaphosa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ramaphosa: We have accordingly decided that beyond Thursday 30 April, we should begin a gradual and phased recovery of economic activity.
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA)
While people will still be allowed to attend funerals according to regulation, all other religious, cultural and social gatherings remain banned until further notice.
This means that Muslims will not be able to go to mosque during the month of Ramadaan, which starts tomorrow.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ramaphosa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ramaphosa: Public transport will continue to operate, with limitations on the number of passengers and stringent hygiene requirements, including that all passengers must wear a face mask.
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA)
The country’s borders will also remain close, and no travelling across provincial borders will be permitted.
Ramaphosa said there would be “phased opening” of schools, details of which will be revealed by his ministers in the coming days.