Mon 28 December 2020:
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced new tougher coronavirus restrictions, a day after South Africa recorded more than one million Covid-19 cases.
President Ramaphosa announced South Africa will move back to level 3 with immediate effect from midnight.
He said that several of the level 3 regulations were being strengthened to further limit the potential transmission of the virus while doing everything possible to keep the economy open.
Recently authorities confirmed a new, faster-spreading variant of the virus had been detected in South Africa.
Some hospitals and medical centres have reported a huge rise in admissions, putting a heavy strain on resources.
Ramaphosa said that the restrictions that applied to level 3 had been adjusted based on the lessons learned to date and would be in place until 15 January 2021.
The president said that the measures would be reviewed at this time on the basis of the state of the pandemic in the country.
He said gatherings excepts for funerals and a few other limited exceptions would be banned, no-one would be able to leave their homes between 21:00 and 6:00 without a permit, and all shops, bars and other venues would have to close by 20:00.
Without your mask on in public, you will be liable to a fine or imprisonment of no more than six months or both a fine and imprisonment. #COVID19 #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/ZSqIIHo8qA
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) December 28, 2020
He said as our scientists study this variant – called 501.V2 – and its spread, it appears that it may be more contagious than the virus that drove the first wave of infections.
The rapid rise in infections is being fuelled by so-called super-spreader events, including like end-of-year functions, family and social gatherings, and music and cultural events.
This is a cause for great alarm, and points to an extreme lack of vigilance over the holiday period.
Curfew has also been extended and will now be in force from 9pm to 6am. Only permitted persons will be allowed to be outside their places of residence during the curfew. Non-essential establishments, including restaurants and bars, must now close at 8pm.
Revised alert level 3 extended curfew coming into effect immediately #COVID19 #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/Dz8wnz7S40
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) December 28, 2020
With the exception of funerals, restaurants, museums, gyms and casinos, all indoor and outdoor gatherings are prohibited. A maximum of 50 people are allowed to attend funerals and there must be social distancing.
The sale of alcohol from retail outlets and the on-site consumption of alcohol will not be permitted, while the ban on drinking alcohol in public spaces like parks and beaches remains.
The distribution and transportation of alcohol will be prohibited with exceptions, which will be explained by the minister.
Restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol. #ProtectSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/W3Tp5l6eRj
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) December 28, 2020
He further said, when I last addressed you we announced that certain beaches in our country would be closed on certain days and others would remain open.
As the infections continue to rise Cabinet on the advice of the National Coronavirus Command Council has decided that all beaches, dams, lakes, rivers, public parks and public swimming pools in hotspot areas will be closed to the public with effect from tomorrow.
National and provincial parks and other parks where access control measures and entry limitations are already in place may remain open to the public.
On Sunday South Africa became the first country in Africa to pass a million Covid-19 cases, with 1,004,413 infections and 26,735 deaths since the outbreak began in March.
Read President Ramaphosa’s full speech here
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