LEVEL 3 RESTRICTIONS EASED-ALCOHOL BAN LIFTED

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on government’s efforts to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic today, 01 Fey2021.

Earlier today, President Ramphosa together with the Deputy President David Mabuza, Minister of Health Dr Zwelini Mkhize and Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni received the first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines.

Ramaphosa announced that COVID-19 related hospital admissions have fallen to less than 300 by the 29th of January compared to 2,300 daily Hospital admissions at the peak of the second wave in December 2020.

With the decline in new infections, hospital admissions and deaths, Cabinet has decided to ease a number of restrictions under adjusted Level 3;
? The hours of the curfew will now be from 11pm to 4am.
? Establishments will need to close by 10pm to allow their customers and staff to return home by curfew.
⛪️ Churches will be allowed, subject to health protocols.
? Gatherings may not exceed 50 people for indoor venues and 100 persons for outdoor venues.
Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.
?‍♀️ Public places such as beaches, dams, rivers, parks and public swimming pools will be reopened subject to health protocols.
? The sale of alcohol by licensed premises for off-site consumption will be permitted from Mondays to Thursdays, from 10am to 6pm.
?Sale of alcohol by licensed premises for on-site consumption – such as restaurants and taverns – will be permitted throughout the week from 10am to 10pm.

Ramaphosa added that “these changes have been made possible by the significant reduction in COVID-19 hospital admissions across all provinces, reducing the pressure on beds and hospital personnel.”

“Even as we roll-out the vaccination programme throughout the year and as we steadily work to reduce the number of new infections, we will need to continue to observe careful precautions to reduce transmission.”