funerals level 3 lockdown

2017 | The ANC selects Cyril Ramaphosa as the leader, to succeed President Jacob Zuma. Photo: GCIS

Ramaphosa tightens lockdown laws across SA: Here’s what will now change

Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed there will be a raft of lockdown changes for SA, as new local ‘hot-spots’ are slapped with tougher restrictions.

funerals level 3 lockdown

2017 | The ANC selects Cyril Ramaphosa as the leader, to succeed President Jacob Zuma. Photo: GCIS

Cyril Ramaphosa may have gathered us for a family meeting just 11 days before Christmas – but he was in no mood to dish out the candy canes and stocking fillers. The head of state’s televised address was a solemn, often uncomfortable affair, as the president rolled out several new lockdown changes and ‘localised interventions’.

Cyril Ramaphosa reveals lockdown changes for Christmas

It’s the second speech delivered to the nation in the past two weeks. During his last address, President Ramaphosa warned that more action could be taken in other COVID-19 hot-spots before the festive season kicked in – he wasn’t kidding, and Nelson Mandela Bay is no longer the only region of the country facing special measures.

More restrictions on alcohol were introduced nationwide, and Ramaphosa also announced that some beaches would be closing over Christmas. Large gatherings have been discouraged too after South Africa’s coronavirus cases reached their highest levels since August over the weekend. The second wave has arrived with a vengeance.

Ramaphosa rings December alarm bells for South Africa

Frustratingly, the resurgence has come at a truly awful time. Many people will be travelling across the country throughout December, raising the possibility of the virus being transported from hot-spots and into areas where transmission is low. Ramaphosa also lashed out at the ‘super-spreader events’ which have accelerated the recent spread of this disease.

Moments ago, Cyril Ramaphosa revealed exactly what changes would be implemented over the Christmas period:

In full: All lockdown changes announced on Monday 14 December

  • New hot-spots: The Garden Route and Sarah Baartman District will now be under the same additional restrictions as NMB.
  • LOCAL alcohol & curfew restrictions: The three hot-spots mentioned above will only be able to sell booze for four days a week. Restaurants and bars will be asked to close at 21:00, ahead of a 22:00 – 4:00 curfew.
  • NATIONAL alcohol & curfew restrictions: There are new countrywide curfew hours, lasting from 23:00 – 4:00 in non-hot-spot areas. That means hospitality venues will be asked to close at 22:00.
  • Hours of alcohol sales changed: All across the country, liquor stores will only be able to open from 10:00 – 6:00, from Monday – Thursday. All public drinking – on beaches and in parks – is prohibited.
  • Beaches closed: A differentiated approach has been implemented: Beaches in all of the Eastern Cape and Garden Route will be shut down. In KZN, their beaches will be closed on 16, 25, 26, and 31 December 2020, and 1-3 January 2021. All beaches in the Western Cape (bar the Garden Route) and Northern Cape are allowed to open. The measures will be reviewed on 3 January.
  • Rules on gatherings changed: No more than 100 people can attend indoor events, and no more than 250 can congregate outdoors. No more than 50% of capacity is allowed in any venue.
  • Public parks: All parks will only be open from 9:00 – 18:00 each day.
  • Funerals: All ‘after tears’ parties are banned nationally.
  • Stricter enforcement: Drivers of public transport must ensure ALL passengers are wearing a mask. All owners of buildings and blocks are obliged to make sure anyone entering is wearing a face-covering. Employers and managers are also responsible for implementing the same ‘zero-tolerance’ policy in workplaces.

This is a developing story, and we will have more coverage throughout the evening at thesouthafrican.com