During a live address tonight, 17 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that certain lockdown restrictions will be eased, allowing for sit-down patrons at restaurants and accommodation establishments to welcome leisure visitors.
No home sharing services like Airbnb will be allowed, however.
Entertainment will resume to a measure of normalcy, as cinemas and theatres, casinos and personal care services will also be allowed to reopen. Ramaphosa acknowledged the need for these institutions to reopen, as some businesses in this industry have been without any income for the entirety of lockdown since 27 March.
In the Western Cape alone, over 100,000 jobs were estimated to be in danger according to the Democratic Alliance.
Conferences and meetings will be allowed for business purposes only.
Ramaphosa emphasised that although certain measures will be relaxed, public behaviour is still essential in containing the spread of the coronavirus and urged citizens to adhere to social distancing protocols.
We have seen that simple precautions & changes in behaviour can reduce the spread of COVID-19. Strict social distancing, the use of masks in public & proper hand hygiene are vital to our success in overcoming this virus. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/BLB0IGOV2w
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 17, 2020
Containing COVID-19 is our collective responsibility. As we cautiously ease lockdown restrictions, it is vital that South Africans remain engaged, co-operate with others & observe the regulations in place to protect public health. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/5e92KZBw1F
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 17, 2020
As more and more South Africans return to work, employers have a critical responsibility to ensure safe and healthy working conditions by implementing stringent hygiene and social distancing protocols. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/3yXJsNc06w
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 17, 2020
Image credit: Unsplash
