President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday, December 14 and announced a number of new lockdown rules for the festive season.
The Garden Route and Eastern Cape have officially been declared hotspots as the country is experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
The full list of beaches that are closed over the festive season has been released.
With most national addresses there are often some questions left unanswered and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has clarified further details into the festive season lockdown rules with a new gazette.
The festive season has been dated as of December 16 2020 to January 3 2021, including both dates.
Notification by district municipalities 65B. All district municipalities must, after consultation with its local municipalities in its area:
- (a) alert communities within that district of the increasing number of infections that could lead to that district being declared a hotspot;
- (b) publish on their websites and in the local media, areas with high infection rates within the district; and
- (c) update the information as and when it becomes available.
Curfew:
Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 23H00 until 04H00 daily, except in areas declared a hotspot, unless a person:
(a) has been granted permission through directions by the relevant Cabinet member or a permit, which corresponds with Form 7 of Annexure A, to perform a service other than a service related to an activity listed under Table 4;
(b) is attending to a security or medical emergency.
Closing time for the following establishments, whether indoors or outdoors, is 22H00 daily, except in areas declared a hotspot:
- (a)Faith-based institutions;
- (b) venues where social events are hosted;
- (c) venues hosting concerts and live performances;
- (d) cinemas;
- (e) theatres;
- (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) casinos; museums, galleries and archives; gyms, fitness centres and swimming pools; restaurants, bars, taverns, shebeens and similar establishments; venues hosting sport, arts and culture activities; and any other place where a gathering may take place.
Mandatory protocols when in a public place include the wearing of:
- (a) a cloth face mask;
- (b) a homemade item; or
- (c) another appropriate item, that covers the nose and mouth, is mandatory for every person when in a public place.
Alcohol sales:
(1) The sale of liquor: a) by a licensed premises for off-site consumption is only permitted from 10H00 to 18H00, from Mondays to Thursdays, excluding Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. (b) by a licensed premises for on-site consumption is permitted, subject to strict adherence to the curfew provided for in regulation 66(2)
(2) The provisions of sub regulation (a) do not apply to duty-free shops.
(3) The consumption of liquor in public places, except in licensed on -site consumption premises, is not permitted.
(4) Registered wineries and wine farms may continue to operate in offering wine-tastings and the selling of liquor to the public for off-site consumption, from 10H00 to 18H00, from Mondays to Saturdays, subject to strict adherence to social distancing measures and health protocols.
(5) The sale and consumption of liquor in contravention of sub regulations (1) and (3) is an offence.
To read the full gazette, click here.
Picture: Twitter/ NationalCoGTA @NationalCoGTA
