Gyms, fitness centres re-open as SA moves to lockdown level 2

Planning, proactive and precautionary measures and compliance by all South Africans have made it possible for the country to move down from lockdown level three, to two come next week.

In addressing the nation earlier tonight, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Covid-19 infection peak has been reached and this warranted further easing of restrictions.

With this, gyms and fitness centres received the go-ahead to open, while citizens will also be able to travel between provinces, buy liquor and cigarettes, and resume social and family visits, among others.

“It has been an immensely difficult five months, but tonight I address you amid signs of hope as we are making progress on a number of fronts. In the last three weeks, the number of Covid-19 cases have dropped to more than 12 000 per day to around 5 000 per day, and the peak might have been reached, he said.

He encouraged citizens to stay steadfast in taking precautions against contracting Covid-19, as a resurgence of infections should be avoided at all cost.

For this reason, some measures remain in place for the health and safety of all South Africans:

• Restrictions on international travel remain.
• No gatherings of more than 50 people, including funerals and religious gatherings.
• No spectators at sporting events.
• The curfew remains between 22:00 and 04:00.

Earlier today, an extension of the National State of Disaster by another month was announced in the Government Gazette, by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

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