With the COVID-19 virus surging throughout the country, South Africans are expecting tighter restrictions following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ‘family meeting.’ Level 4 lockdown seems almost inevitable.
According to News24, Ramaphosa’s announcement will bring with it a total ban on alcohol and complete school closure for weeks to come.
The President’s Coordinating Council (PCC), which consists of premiers and executive mayors, met on Sunday to discuss the way forward in the wake of rising infections.
Pressure has been put on the President to implement stricter lockdown measures to deal with the new, highly infectious Delta variant.
It is alleged, according to insiders, that discussions were heavy, with the country likely to move to level four.
What this means, for three weeks:
- Curfew between 21:00 and 04:00
- Schools to close
- Alcohol sales – off-site and on-site – to be prohibited
- Travelling to and from Gauteng for leisure will be prohibited, but other travelling and transport of goods and services will continue
- Restaurants only be allowed to do take-aways
- Public spaces, like parks, sports grounds, etc, be closed
- No night visuals or ‘after tears’ gatherings
Should this be the case, it will be the country’s fourth alcohol ban since March last year, 2020.
The set date for schools to be closed is yet to be set, however, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is allegedly determined to see it through.
All other protocols and measures are set to remain in place.
According to reports, at least three government sources said all gatherings would be prohibited. This excludes funerals and cremations, which would be limited to 50 people.
Other restrictions on the cards under alert level four lockdown:
- Apart from permitted workers, no persons may be outside of their residence during curfew
- Outside of work, you should only meet with members of your household
- Interprovincial travel only permitted for business purposes, for the transport of goods, or to return home
- All employers are encouraged to allow their staff to work from home unless it is absolutely necessary
