BREAKING: National lockdown update

The country enters level 3 from 1 June

Latest update: 28 May 2020

President Cyril Ramaphosa took to the podium on Sunday night to announce that South Africa will move to alert level 3 from 1 June. On Thursday afternoon, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and other ministers held a press briefing to outline the level 3 regulations. 

LOCKDOWN LEVELS: THE SITUATION NOW 
We are currently still in level 4 nationwide lockdown. From 1 June, the country will enter level 3. 

WATCH: CYRIL RAMAPHOSA’S FULL ADDRESS FROM 24 MAY

WEAR A MASK WHEN OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME
Everyone is still encouraged to stay home and will be required to wear a face mask outside of their homes. This can be a fabric mask, or a homemade item that covers the nose and mouth. 

BIG CHANGES IN TERMS OF PERSONAL MOVEMENT
The curfew in place under level 4 has been lifted. Exercise is permitted at any time of day under level 3. 

LIQUOR MAY BE SOLD MONDAY TO THURSDAY
Liquor may be sold under level 3 by licensed premises. Sales are allowed for limited times, between Monday and Thursday from 09:00-17:00. On-site consumption is prohibited. E-commerce sales are permitted and are subject to the same limits of days and times. Restaurants, taverns, registered shebeens, and bars may sell alcohol as long as it is sold in sealed containers and consumed off-site. 

TOBACCO REMAINS ON THE BANNED LIST
The sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes is not permitted under level 3. 

HOTSPOTS MAY BE RETURNED TO LEVEL 4 OR 5
Ramaphosa defined hotspots as places where more than 5 people per 100,000 are infected, or where new infections and transmissions are increasing at a rapid pace.

Cape Town is one of the hotspots identified so far, along with the Cape Winelands, Overberg, and West Coast. Others include Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, Chruis Hani, and Ethekwini. Hotspots will be reviewed every two weeks. 

These areas may be returned the higher alert levels, or more stringent measures such as limitations of movement may be put in place by the Minister of Health.

EVERYONE IS PERMITTED TO RETURN TO WORK
All workers may go back to work on the condition that they adhere to strict safety measures. Domestic workers are included in this and may return to work. Workplaces must limit the number of employees permitted to return to work, and must maintain strict health protocols such as the wearing of masks, provision of hand sanitizers, screenings, and physical distancing of 1.5m. 

Every company must have a Covid-19 plan in place, and must appoint a Covid-19 compliance officer. The plan must be accessible by all employees and must be presented to inspectors on request. Failure to present this plan could result in the company being forced to close. 

Those who are able to work from home must be allowed and encouraged to do so. People over 60 or with comorbidities such as cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases are advised to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary. 

ENTERTAINMENT VENUES MUST REMAIN CLOSED
Sit-in restaurants, hotels, bars, and shebeens will remain closed. Entertainment venues, including cinemas, theatres, and concerts also may not operate. Delivery of food is allowed. 

FUNERALS, RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS AND NON-CONTACT SPORT PERMITTED
Funerals may take place with no more than 50 people. Only close relatives are permitted to attend funerals, and those travelling between provinces for a funeral are required to have a permit. 

Religious counselling is considered an essential service. Gatherings are permitted with health and hygiene measures in place, including wearing masks and 1.5m physical distancing. A maximum of 50 congregants is allowed, and a record of attendees must be kept. Congregants must also be screened upon arrival.

Non-contact sport is allowed to resume, without any spectators. 

Conference and convention centres will remain closed, and social gatherings will remain cancelled until further notice.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT USE
Passengers on all modes of public transport must wear a cloth mask to be allowed entry into any vehicle. Hand sanitisers must be made available, and all passengers must sanitise their hands before entering. Public transport vehicles must be sanitised on a daily basis.

SCHOOLS WILL REOPEN
Precautionary measures are being put in place with the reopening of schools, but parents will not be forced to send their kids to school.

THERE ARE FIVE LEVELS OF LOCKDOWN 
There are five alert levels, which will work similarly to loadshedding. These levels will be implemented based on the number of new infections and healthcare system readiness, which refers to the availability of hospital beds, personal protective equipment, medicines, respirators, and surgical equipment. 

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Need supplies? Check out these places that deliver during lockdown.

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