Staff Reporter
More sectors of South Africa’s economy are set to open after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Sunday night that the country will be moving from Adjusted Alert Level 4 to Level 3 at midnight.
In a televised national address, Ramaphosa said this followed recommendations from the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 as well as input from the President’s Coordinating Council and Cabinet.
He said the adjustment has been made possible by a steady decline in the daily infections which have dropped by about 20 percent.
“The overall decline in new infections means that it is possible to gradually ease some of the restrictions on gatherings, movement and the sale of alcohol,” said Ramaphosa.
“We must continue wearing our masks at all times when in public, keep our distance from others and always ensure that windows are open and that there is a flow of fresh air,” he urged the people.
Following the adjustment, the hours of curfew will stay the same, starting at 10pm to 4am.
Interprovincial travel for leisure may resume.
Non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars and fitness centres may be opened.
These establishments will however need to close by 9pm to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
Gatherings will be allowed but will be limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 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.
“Gatherings include religious services, political events and social gatherings.
“The limits on venue capacity also apply to restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, bars, taverns and similar places,” Ramaphosa explained.
Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings are still not allowed.
The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption will be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday.
Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 8pm.
Schools will re-open Monday July 26 under strict health protocols and other measures announced by the Department of Basic Education.
The president said in the last few weeks, the country’s vaccination campaign has made huge strides as over 240 000 vaccines are administered every week day.
A month ago, the figure stood at around 100 000 vaccines per week day.
More than 6.3 million vaccines have been administered to date – this is over 10 percent of the country’s population.
“As we have always said, our most effective weapon in the fight against COVID-19 is an effective and comprehensive vaccination programme . . .
“In the coming weeks, we will substantially increase the rate of vaccination.
“We are increasing the number of vaccination sites and improving the vaccination registration system.
“We will also increase our vaccination capacity on weekends,” said Ramaphosa.
Vaccinations for people between the ages of 18 and 34 will start on September 1.
This will be in addition to the age groups that are currently eligible, which is everyone over 35 years of age.
The president also announced that those not registered will be allowed to walk in at the vaccination centres and register before getting vaccinated.