All You Need To Know As South Africa Moves To Coronavirus Alert Level 1. A month ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country will be moving to level 3 Covid-19 restrictions. The reason was taken after the country began recording the lowest daily infections increase consistently. Another thing the securing of the much anticipated vaccine gave hope that things will get better soon.
There has been once again new developments with regards to the restrictions. As of the 1st of March 2021, adjusted alert level 1 restrictions will take place. Alert level-1, is the lowest of five levels of lockdown. The president said based on an assessment of the current state of the pandemic in the country, Cabinet has decided to move the country from Coronavirus Alert Level 3 to Alert 1.
Changes That Will Take Place:
- The hours of the curfew will now be from 12 midnight to 4am.
- Gatherings will be permitted, subject to limitations on size, adherence to social distancing and other health protocols.
- These include religious, social, political and cultural gatherings.
- The maximum number of people allowed at any gathering is 100 people indoors or 250 people outdoors.
- Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 percent of the capacity of the venue may be used.
- The sale of alcohol will be permitted, according to normal license provisions. However, no alcohol may be sold during the hours of curfew.
- Only five airports will be open for international travel with standard infection control measures. These are OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka, Kruger Mpumalanga and Lanseria airports.
What Remains The Same
- Nightclubs will remain closed.
- The 33 land border posts that have been closed throughout this period will remain closed, while the other 20 will remain open.
- Night vigils or other gatherings before or after funerals are still not permitted.
- The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offense.
