Covid-19: Lockdown regulations amended to include movement of children in co-parenting families

Changes to the lockdown regulations affecting the movement of children in cases of co-parenting were announced this afternoon.

It was also announced by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, that the police service is engaging Community Police Forums (CPFs) to assist police in enforcing regulations.

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Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and other members of the National Command Council (NCC) dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, said the changes to the regulations were necessitated by the extension of the lockdown.

“Co-parenting is now part of the regulations. We are putting the issue of transporting children between divorced parents in the regulations.

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“You need a court order, family advocate’s papers or at least a birth certificate that shows the connection between you and the children you are moving,” she said.

The parent or caregiver transporting the child concerned must have in his or her possession, the court order or the parental responsibilities and rights agreement or parenting plan. #Covid19inSA #COVID19 #LockdownSA #day21oflockdown #StayHomeSA

— NationalCoGTA 🇿🇦 (@NationalCoGTA) April 16, 2020

In response to questions about groups such as neighbourhood watches taking up patrols, Cele said, “We received several requests for neighbourhood watches to help law enforcement agencies patrol.

“Neighbourhood patrols will not be allowed. There cannot be any patrols done by people who have no line of accountability.

“The police, SANDF and metro police officers are vetted and they have a line of accountability. There is no known line of accountability for a neighbourhood watch.

“We are ready to engage with CPFs, but at times they too become involved in politics, however, we are keen to engage them and see how they can assist with enforcing regulations,” said Cele.

Call centres

Dlamini-Zuma said call centres necessary to provide health, safety, social support, government and financial services, debt restructuring for consumers of retailers, and access to short-term insurance policies as a result of reduced income or loss of income will be able to operate.

“Call centres used by retailers for consumer insurance purposes will now be open.

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“These call centres are necessary for people who have accounts with the retailer. Consumers take insurance for times that they are unable to pay their accounts and to allow them to activate this insurance, call centres need to be open,” she said.

Dlamini-Zuma said many of the regulations remained the same including regulations pertaining to funerals.

“Families are still required to obtain a permit and no more than 50 people are allowed,” she said.

She also stressed the prohibition of the transport of alcohol.

“Liquor that we drink cannot be exported in the same way that it is not allowed to be sold,” she said.

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