Staff Reporter
South Africa has imposed a nine-hour curfew amid other restrictions such as a ban on alcohol sales and possible jail time for not wearing masks.
An emotional President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised address on Monday night that the country will be put under adjusted Level 3 regulations with a 9pm-6am curfew as part of efforts to slow down the spread of COVID-19 starting midnight.
South Africa reached a million cumulative cases at the weekend.
The consumption of alcohol in restaurants, bars and taverns, according to the president, has contributed to the spread of the virus and driven up trauma cases in hospitals.
“We have simply let our guard down and, unfortunately, we are now paying the price,” said a stern-looking Ramaphosa.
He pointed to the poor adherence to key health protocols such as the regular washing and sanitising of hands, wearing of masks as well as social distancing.
Over the next two weeks, the sale of alcohol will not be allowed as well its distribution and transportation.
“This is a time of heightened danger in the face of a rising global pandemic,” said the president.
Under the adjusted Level 3 regulations, all indoor and outdoor gatherings are prohibited for 14 days, except for funerals and some limited exceptions like restaurants, gyms, museums, and casinos for which regulations will be set out.
Funerals may not be attended by more than 50 people, with strict adherence to social distancing.
Bars, restaurants, and “cultural venues” will be expected to close at 8pm.
Private citizens will be held liable for not wearing a mask in public and can be arrested and fined, imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months or both.
“We now have to flatten the curve to protect the capacity of our healthcare system.”
Most of the new cases reported in recent weeks came from the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal.
Cases are also said to be on the rise in Limpopo.
Ramaphosa said hotspot areas would face increased restrictions until infection numbers get lower.
Four more hotspot districts in the Eastern Cape were added to the list as well as six in KwaZulu-Natal, five in the Western Cape, one in the North West, two in Limpopo and four in Gauteng, including Tshwane and Johannesburg.
All beaches, rivers, dams, lakes, public parks, and public pools in hotspot areas will be closed starting this Tuesday.
However, national and provincial parks with access control measures in place in other parts of the country will remain open.
The president also advised people living in hotpot districts to limit their movements to essential travel only.
The new regulations will be reviewed on January 15, 2021.