During last night’s (16 September) national address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country will move down to lockdown level 1 from midnight on Sunday (20 September).
While a number of regulations will be eased, South Africans were cautioned that by Ramaphosa that the world is still in the midst of a deadly epidemic and stressed the importance of ensuring that the country is not hit by a second wave of infections.
Read More | Government updates lockdown regulations – here are 4 important changes
The government also plans to expand testing to include more categories of people and step up its contact tracing capabilities. The move to lockdown level 1 comes with a host of changes to directives including the opening of international borders, larger events and changes to the current national curfew.
Take a look at all the important changes you need to know below and read more trending news, right here.
Eased Regulations under lockdown Level 1
- The evening curfew will apply between 00h00 and 04h00
- Alcohol for home consumption can be sold between 09h00 – 17h00 from Monday to Friday
- On-site consumption will be allowed subject to adherence to the curfew
- More government facilities will open
Travel
- Gradual ease on international travel restrictions for business and leisure from 1 October – subject to containment measures. A list of permitted countries will be published
- International travel will only be allowed through OR Tambo International, Cape Town International, or King Shaka International
- Travellers will need to provide a negative coronavirus certificate or will be put into quarantine at their own cost
- All travellers will be required to install the Coivd-19 alert level app
Gatherings
- Gatherings are permitted as long as guests do not exceed 50% of the normal capacity of a venue. Maximum of 250 people for indoor gatherings and 500 people for outdoor gatherings
- Maximum capacity at funerals up to 100 people
- Night vigils are still prohibited
- Venues such as gyms and recreational facilities up to 50% of total capacity
- Restrictions on sporting events remain in place
The new directives for lockdown level 1 will be gazetted with more clarity this week.