FOLLOWING President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address and the easing of certain restrictions, ward 97 councillor, Andrè Beetge highlighted how the changes affect Amanzimtoti.
Curfew and movement of people
“Every person is confined to their place of residence from 11pm until 4am daily unless such a person is performing an essential service or has security or medical emergency. Likewise, people arriving on a flight or travelling to or from an airport provided that such a person has a valid boarding pass or proof of flight or a copy of the airline ticket.”
Wearing of a mask remains mandatory when in public
“Any person who fails to abide by the new curfew commits an offence and is on conviction, liable to a fine or a period of imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.”
Closing time for the following establishments, whether indoors or outdoors, is 10pm. This includes 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.
“Noting that the owners, operators, custodians or relevant authorities retain the right to close such venues or establishments earlier to align with normal operating hours coupled to the availability of resources and observing all relevant safety protocols.”
Alcohol sales
The sale of liquor by licensed premises for off-site consumption is permitted from 10am to 6pm, from Monday to Thursday but excluding Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
“The sale of liquor by licensed premises for on-site consumption is permitted from 10am to 10pm. The exceptions being duty-free shops, registered wineries, wine farms. micro-breweries and micro-distilleries as these establishments may sell alcohol for off-site consumption during their normal operating hours in line with license conditions, although subject to curfew restrictions. The transportation of liquor is now also permitted but the consumption thereof in public remains illegal.”
Gatherings
“Gatherings at faith-based institutions are permitted but remain limited to 50 persons or less for indoor venues and 100 persons or less for outdoor venues. If the venue is too small to facilitate the prescribed number of persons observing a distance of at least one and a half meters from each other, then not more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.”
All social gatherings are prohibited. 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 a limitation of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Night clubs remain closed to the public.
Opening and closure of schools
“The gazette makes special mention of the opening and closure of schools and notes that the basic education minister, Angie Motshekga may publish a directive which determines the dates on which schools may be opened or closed and to provide any guidance on matters related to the management of schools in the basic education sector to address, prevent and combat the spread of Covid-19 in all schools.
“As per the President’s address and subsequent gazette, these amendments do not affect the remainder of the regulations which remain applicable as they were written until changed, amended or revoked.
“There appears an increased transfer of responsibility on citizens to look after themselves and those around them. Notably, there are no timelines of review but rather an open-ended opportunity to amend or adjust as and when deemed necessary and guided by increased infections figures and a burdened health sector. With freedom comes increased responsibility so remember to always mask up and keep safe.”
ALSO READ: Clarity over lockdown regulations
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
