SOUTH AFRICA MOVES TO LOCKDOWN ALERT LEVEL 2

Effective midnight on Monday, 16th of August 2020, South Africa will move to Alert Level 2.

This was announced today by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his update on the country’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19.

It has been 5 months since a National State of Disaster was declared in South Africa and the lockdown has been extended to 15 September 2020 to allow necessary precautions to remain in place.

Under Alert Level 2 the following protocols will be applicable:
? The Sale of Alcohol is permitted from Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00, and alcohol may be sold for consumption in licensed premises.
? The Sale of Cigarettes and tobacco products is permitted.
??Gyms and fitness centers will reopen with strict health and safety protocols in place.
❌ All gatherings are limited to a maximum of 50 people including funerals.
? A curfew remains in place from 22:00 to 04:00 except for essential workers.
?‍?‍?‍? The number of people allowed in a retail store, restaurant, cinema or other public space remains limited.
? International travel remains prohibited.
? Inter provincial travel is allowed.
? visits to family and friends are permitted in small groups
? it remains mandatory to wear a mask in public
? Hotels and accommodation facilities may reopen for leisure travel between provinces.
? Restaurants may remain open with a curfew between 22:00 to 04:00
?Alcohol may be served in all licensed restaurants
?Parks, beaches and nature reserves will be open for outdoor activity
⚽️ Sporting events will be allowed without spectators.

Ramaphosa said that evidence shows that the national Lockdown and vital social distancing measures have been successful in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and protecting the lives of South Africans.

Government’s prevention measures have ensured that the number of active cases is declining and the number of admissions to healthcare facilities is declining.

“While they are signs of hope. We can not and must not let our guard down” said Ramaphosa.

We need to prevent a “second wave” by continuing to wear mask at all times that covers your nose and mouth, wash hands regularly with soap or sanitizer and keep a safe distance from other people.

At the time of publishing, they were 583 653 confirmed cases in South Africa with 11 677 deaths.