Photo: Unsplash
Photo: Unsplash
Only a matter of hours stand between South Africans and the roll-out of Level 2 lockdown. The change will see a number of regulations eased dramatically, as alcohol and cigarettes return to sale. However, it is a change in social policy which could prove to be the most popular of the lot – as of Tuesday, citizens will be allowed to ‘meet family and friends’.
What changes at Level 2?
Of course, this all depends on the ‘code of conduct’ the government expects the public to follow. All gatherings must be small, and be within the parameters of our State of Disaster laws. This shift to Level 2 is by no means a free-for-all, and everyone must remain very aware that COVID-19 is still a huge danger in SA.
But with the official figures for new cases declining, Cabinet has spotted an opportunity to save the economy, our leisure sectors, and possibly our collective mental health. For now, social visits are back on the cards – you can meet family and friends in the following places or situations:
Level 2 restrictions: Where can I meet family and friends?
(All advice on social activity was taken from Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on Saturday, guidance published by the Presidency’s own Twitter account, and updates shared by the National Coronavirus Command Council on Monday.)
- The official wording from the government is that “visits to family and friends are permitted in small groups”.
- This does include home visits, as well as social ones. But this means no more than 10 people can gather here at Level 2.
- You can attend restaurants and bars in small groups. Families and two-people-per-room can stay in hotels.
- Legally speaking, you can attend an event with a crowd if fewer than 50 people are in attendance. This goes for things such as religious celebrations or funerals. Social distancing and hand-washing must take place.
- You can shop together in retail stores, and even visit the cinema in small groups.
- For the outdoorsy-types, our parks, beaches, and nature reserves are open to the public. You can openly meet with friends and family here, as long as your gathering is respectful and mindful of COVID-19 restrictions. Like many items on this list for Level 2 restrictions, the wearing of masks is strongly advised.
- Got a gym buddy? You guys can reunite from Tuesday, as fitness centres prepare to reopen.
- With inter-provincial travel allowed from midnight tonight, you can cross into a different province to meet people.
- However, the government has also advised citizens to limit the people you are ‘in contact with daily’.
- Outdoor performances can be attended as long as fewer than 50 people are in attendance.
- You can go to casinos if they operate at 50% capacity.
- Weddings, auctions and entertainment functions are also permissible (with the 50-person rule in place).
- Swimming pools, museums, libraries and galleries can all host small groups.
But you can’t meet people under the following circumstances:
- As competitive sport returns to South Africa, no-one can attend live matches or fixtures during Level 2 of lockdown
- Hotels, like restaurants and bars, will have to operate at reduced capacity. It is not practical to meet multiple friends or relatives in one of these locations.
- You cannot visit someone in a different country – all international travel is still banned at Level 2.
- You cannot meet up with people between the hours of 22:00 – 4:00, given that curfew remains in place.
- No indoor arena events are allowed, and organised gatherings with more than 50 people are strictly illegal.
Public spaces may be used for outdoor activity under Level 2 of the nationwide lockdown, but restrictions on social gatherings remain to minimise the potential for coronavirus transmission. #COVID19SA pic.twitter.com/gv8ZjiwUE4
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) August 15, 2020
