Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP
Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP
With failure to wear face masks in all public spaces now punishable by law, South Africans will be eager to know exactly where and when they are required to mask up.
Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Monday 28 December that South Africa will return to Level 3 lockdown from 29 December due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, rules and regulations that comprise the strict have been published in the latest government gazette, adding further clarity to the situation.
One time when the public is let off the hook from wearing the protective gear is when they are engaging in rigorous exercise though, which will come as both a relief to many and possibly a challenge to law enforcement monitoring compliance.
Where must face masks be worn?
According to the regulations, “the wearing of a face mask is mandatory for every person when in a public place, and any person who fails to comply with a verbal instruction by an enforcement officer to wear a face mask, commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to a fine or a period of imprisonment not exceeding six months”.
The regulations go on to outline that the following spaces require the mandatory wearing of masks:
- Public spaces
- Public transport
- Any building used to obtain goods and services
Also, it is now mandatory for employers to ensure that no employee may perform any duties or enter the employment premises if the employee is not wearing a face mask.
Government to decide what constitutes ‘vigourous exercise’
The regulations also state that the law “shall not apply to a person who undertakes vigorous exercise in a public place, provided that the person maintains a distance of at least one and a half metres from any other person”.
Some people take exercise more seriously, and rigorously, than others though, so this is likely to be a contentious issue. It’s not yet clear whether or not, for example, one needs to be hitting a certain speed on their run to be deemed to be engaging in appropriate levels of athletic vigour.
Government said when briefing the media during a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) on Tuesday 29 December that they would announce further details of what constitutes a vigorous workout, with Health Minister Zweli Mkhize responsible for deciding on the parameters applicable.
