BLOGGING THE VIEW: Check these 5 new lockdown rules so you don’t get caught out
This year's festive season was always going to be a bit different and, while we do still have some measure of freedom, there are regulations that must be followed to stop the second wave of Covid-19. Here's what to expect...
ON Monday night at our ‘family meeting’, president Cyril Ramaphosa outlined some updated lockdown Level 1 regulations aimed at curbing the second wave of coronavirus.
While this might put a bit of a dampener on some festive season celebrations, they are necessary measures – as the president so rightfully put it – to ensure this isn’t the last Christmas for most.
If you’re spending your Christmas in KZN, it’s worth taking note of these five updated lockdown rules ahead of time so that you’re not caught unawares when travelling around the province.
1. Beaches
As it stands, the KZN beaches will remain open, except on peak days. These include the just passed Reconciliation Day holiday on Wednesday, 16 December, as well as Christmas and Boxing Days (25 and 26 December), New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (31 December and 1 January) and the weekend following New Year (2 and 3 January).
2. Alcohol sales
The sale of alcohol is now restricted again, to between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday, with no sale of alcohol from Friday to Sunday. However, wineries are still able to operate wine tastings throughout the week, and licenced establishments are also able to sell alcohol to patrons during operating hours.
3. Curfew
The hours of the curfew have been adjusted, somewhat, as a way to minimise the after-hours revelry and reckless behaviour that tends to follow. The curfew in place is now from 11pm to 4am, however, bars and restaurants must close by 10pm to allow for staff to return home in time. Remember that this includes Christmas Eve (24 December), which means no midnight mass; as well as New Year’s Eve (31 December) so you’ll either have to welcome in the New Year at home, or at 10pm.
4. Gatherings
With the super spreader event – Matric Rage in Ballito – highlighting the risk associated with such gatherings, further restrictions have been imposed. No gatherings inside of more than 100 people and no outdoor gatherings of more than 250 people are permitted. Buildings cannot exceed 50% occupancy, and all post-funeral gatherings are prohibited.
5. Stricter enforcement
Many of us have relaxed somewhat, sometimes forgetting that we have, in fact, been in lockdown Level 1 for the past few months. This means that, although many restrictions have been in place, they are not necessarily being adhered to or monitored by law enforcement. This has now changed, and we can all expect to see police taking a much firmer stance against those not adhering to restrictions, including fines or six months of prison time.
As difficult as these measures might seem, the alternative is far worse, as has been evidenced by many countries across the globe now suffering through more stringent lockdown measures because of a massive spike in cases.
Remember to constantly mask up, remain socially distanced and sanitise regularly. The vaccines are arriving, we just need to keep ourselves – and everyone else – safe until then.
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