Covid-19: South Africa moves to Alert Level 3 - here are the new restrictions
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in an address to the nation on 15 June 2021 that South Africa moves back to Alert Level 3. This due to a third wave of infections with Covid-19 that is currently taking place in the country. According to the President, all provinces of South Africa, except for the Northern Cape, are experiencing rising infections. Four provinces – Gauteng, Free State, North West and Northern Cape – are officially in a third wave, while others are approaching that point. The proportion of Covid-19 tests that are positive – the so-called positivity rate – is continuing to rise in Gauteng, Limpopo, Western Cape, Free State and KwaZulu- Natal.
In view of the rising infections, the following restrictions are in place in South Africa from today (16 June 2021):
- The hours of curfew start at 22:00 and end at 16:00.
- Non-essential establishments like restaurants, bars and fitness centres need to close by 21:00 to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
- All gatherings are limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
- Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.
This includes religious services, political events and social gatherings, as well as restaurants, bars, taverns and similar places. - Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
- Night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.
- The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption is only be permitted between 10:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Thursday. This excludes public holidays.
- Alcohol sales for on-site consumption are permitted as per licence conditions up to 21:00.
- Alcohol consumption in all public spaces, such as beaches and parks, is strictly forbidden.
