LEVEL 3 RESTRICTIONS EASED
The tourism sector has welcomed the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 1 February 2021 that a decline in the number of new Covid-19 cases meant that the country’s lockdown restrictions could be eased under Adjusted Lockdown Level 3.
In his address, President Ramaphosa said, “We are acutely aware that these restrictions have negatively affected businesses and threatened jobs in the hospitality, tourism and related industries. That is why we are determined that such restrictions should not continue any longer than is absolutely necessary to contain the pandemic and minimise the loss of life.”
The President said Government would continue to work with business and labour in these sectors to revive businesses and restore jobs both in the immediate and longer term.
The updated restrictions are:
- It remains compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public space.
- The hours of the curfew will now be from 11pm to 4am. Establishments will need to close by 10pm to allow their customers and staff to return home by curfew.
- All beaches, dams, lakes and rivers, inclusive of all recreational facilities at these places are open to the public, provided that all health protocols and social distancing measures are adhered to;
- All public swimming pools. including recreational facilities at such places, are open to the public subject to limitation of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
- Restrictions on the sale of alcohol will be eased. The sale of alcohol by licensed premises for off-site consumption will be permitted from Mondays to Thursdays, from 10am to 6pm. Duty-free shops, registered wineries, wine farms, micro-breweries and micro-distilleries will be able to sell alcohol for off-site consumption during their normal licensed operating hours. The sale of alcohol by licensed premises for on-site consumption — such as restaurants and taverns — will be permitted throughout the week from 10am to 10pm.
- The closing time for the following establishments, whether indoors or outdoors, is 22h00: cinemas; theatres; casinos; museums, galleries and archives; public swimming pools; beaches and public parks; game parks, botanical gardens and zoos; gyms and fitness centres; restaurants; venues hosting auctions and venues hosting professional sport.
- All social gatherings are prohibited.
- Night clubs remain closed to the public.
President Ramaphosa urged South Africans to avoid being in crowded places or spending time in closed, unventilated spaces, and to keep a safe distance of 1.5 metres from other people at all times.
