NATIONAL NEWS - Some welcome freedom will be allowed to South Africans from Monday 1 June after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the easing from Level 4 lockdown to Level 3.
A measure of relief for the economy is also in sight as wholesale and retail trade resumes full operation and the commercial construction industry opens after two months of forced inactivity.
The curfew on the movement of people is lifted and exercise at any time of the day between 06:00 and 18:00 is allowed, but not in groups. Exercise on beaches and public parks is not allowed (the draft regulations stated otherwise.)
Smokers will still not be able to light up. Liquor sales are permitted, strictly for home consumption, from Monday to Thursday between 09:00 and 17:00.
Church leaders have welcomed the President's announcement on Tuesday that churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and other recognised places of worship can also open their doors again on 1 June.
Ramaphosa stressed that with the economy being opened up, the safety of all workers is a matter of concern. Therefore it is subject to the observance of strict health protocols and social distancing rules. More public servants will also return to work. "Our priority is to reduce the opportunities for the transmission of the virus and create a safe environment for everyone," he said.
Herewith a summary of the rules in Level 3 (the final regulations will only be published at a later stage and may change):
The rules in level 3 summed up:
Trade and industry
• Wholesale and retail trade will be fully opened, including stores, spaza shops, and informal traders. E-commerce remains open.
• Restaurants will be allowed to offer delivery, collection, and drive-through services.
• Construction industry resumes.
• Domestic air travel is prohibited, except for business travel, which will be phased in on dates to be announced.
• Conferences, events, entertainment, and sporting activities.
• Hairdressers, beauty salons, makeup and nail salons remain closed.
• Other sectors that opened previously, such as agriculture and forestry, utilities, medical services, food production, and manufacture of hygiene products, will remain fully open.
Domestic passenger air travel
Allowed for business travel only, to be phased in on dates to be announced.
Gatherings, meetings
• All gatherings are prohibited, except for funerals with no more than 50 people.
• Meetings in the workplace for work purposes are allowed.
Public places that are closed
- Gyms and fitness centres
- Sports grounds and fields and swimming pools except for training of professional athletes and professional non-contact sports matches.
- Flea markets
- Fêtes and bazaars
- Night clubs
- Casinos
- Conference facilities
- Any on-consumption premises, including bars, taverns and shebeens
- Theatres and cinemas
- Museums
- Tourism attractions and entertainment venues, except to provide private self-drive excursion activities.
- Private and public game reserves, except if required for remaining tourists.
- Beaches, parks
Hotels and accommodation establishments are closed, except if they are required for:
• Remaining tourists
• Persons for work purposes
• Persons in quarantine or isolation
Alcohol and cigarettes
• Tobacco product sales are prohibited.
• Taverns, restaurants, clubs and accommodation establishments are prohibited from selling liquor.
• Liquor may be sold for home consumption only at any licenced premises or through e-commerce delivery from Monday to Thursday between 09:00 and 17:00.
Curfew and exercise
• The curfew on the movement of people is lifted.
• Exercise at any time of the day between 06:00 and 18:00 is allowed, but not in groups. No exercising in public parks and on beaches permitted.
Universities
• 33% of the student population will be allowed to return to campuses, which include:
• All groups that have already returned.
• Final year students who require access to laboratories, technical equipment, data, etc.
• Students in all years of study that require clinical training.
• Post graduate students who require laboratory equipment and other technical equipment.
Schools
Schools resume classes for Grades 7 and 12 learners.
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