Lockdown level one regulations explained
Mask up, act responsibly and think of others safety as much as your own.
Almost a year since the first announcement of lockdown in March, South Africa has returned to level 1.
Ward 97 councillor, André Beetge, explained what the regulations mean and what has changed.
“Different from before where only the national department of health was allowed to release information, it’s now the responsibility on a municipality to alert communities of increased infections that could lead to it being declared a hotspot – a welcome and long overdue amendment.”
Movement of people
“The curfew has again changed and will apply the hours of 12am to 4am The closing time for all venues that cater to the public, including restaurants and pubs, will be 11pm. No last rounds, no closing and cleaning or waiting for patrons to finish whatever they were busy with.”
Face masks
“It mandatory for all people over the age of six to wear a face mask when in a public space. People who perform vigorous exercise in a public space being the exception, yet with the understanding that a distance of at least 1.5 meters must be maintained from any other person.
An employer also has to ensure that all employees perform their duties while wearing a face mask.”
ATMs
“All automated teller machines whether operated by a bank or other financial institution must have hand sanitiser available for use by the public using such machines.”
Gatherings
“The attendance at a funeral to 100 people or if the venue is too small, then not more than 50 per cent of the venues legal capacity. Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings remain prohibited and the duration of funerals are restricted to a maximum of two hours.”
“The owner of an indoor or outdoor establishment still needs to display the certificate of occupancy to confirm the maximum number of people allowed in the premises. Faith-based, religious, social, political and cultural gatherings are allowed yet limited to 100 people for indoors and 250 or fewer people for outdoors, or where the venue is too small to observe a distance of 1.5m between people, a maximum of 50 per cent of the allowed legal occupancy.”
Alcohol
“All night clubs remain closed and any place or premises that poses a high risk for members of the public to be infected may be closed. Off-site liquor sales are now permitted from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm on a Saturday and from 10am to 3:30pm on a Sunday. Pubs and restaurants are allowed from 10am to 11pm yet with the understanding that all such establishments must be closed and patrons, as well as staff, departed by 11pm.
“Again more and more responsibility being transferred to citizens who are expected to maintain health and distance protocols to protect both themselves and others from infection. Failure to maintain this will inevitably lead to what is being referred to as the third wave which could see the immediate implementation of increased control measures in the interest of the larger population’s safety.”
To avoid this mask up, act responsibly and think of others safety as much as your own.
