President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the relaxation of a number of South Africa’s lockdown regulations as the country moves to an adjusted level 1 lockdown from1 October.
Addresing the nation on Thursday evening, Ramaphosa said that the country is making progress in its fight against the coronavirus and that the country has now officially exited its third wave of Covid-19 infections.
“In the last seven days, the average number of new cases was at around 1,800 a day. There are also sustained decreases in Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths in all provinces. This is news that is welcome to all of us.
“Naturally, we all want to resume many of the activities that we have been unable to do for much of the past two years. We want to attend traditional rituals, birthday parties, weddings and other social functions freely with our friends and family.”
The president said that these freedoms are within the country’s reach, but will only be possible if all South Africans are vaccinated and continue to follow lockdown protocols.
As the cases decrease, he said that the country will move to lockdown level 1 on Friday, and that restrictions will be eased in the following areas:
The hours of the curfew will now run from 00h00 – 04h00;
Non-essential establishments will need to close by 23h00 to allow employees and patrons to return home before curfew;
The number of people permitted to attend indoor gatherings will increase to 750 people, while up to 2,000 people may attend outdoor gatherings;
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.
The sale of alcohol will be permitted according to the normal licensing provisions, but no alcohol may be sold over 23h00;
The wearing of masks in public places remains mandatory.
