The ban on inter-provincial leisure travel has been lifted. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the country will move to Alert Level 2 of the nationwide lockdown during his national address on August 15.
International travel is still banned and the night time curfew will remain in place between 10pm and 4am.
Level 2 will come into effect from midnight on Monday, August 17, with several changes taking place. ‘South Africa has moved beyond infection points of the curve,’ Ramaphosa said during his address.
The following will be permitted during Alert Level 2:
– Leisure travel and overnight stays across provincial borders
– The selling of alcohol by retailers for off-site consumption from Mondays to Thursdays, 9am to 5pm
– The selling of alcohol by bars and restaurants for on-site consumption
– The selling of tobacco products
– Small social gatherings of up to 50 people
All institutions will have to adhere to strict approved protocols, and accommodation and tour operators may only operate on a maximum of 50% capacity.
‘The recovery rate has risen from 48% to 80% and an average of 5,000 new case per day during the last week’, Ramaphosa said. ‘The virus has passed its peaked in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and possibly KwaZulu-Natal’, he added.
The President has warned residents to remain cautious and act responsibly as restrictions are eased.
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