Lockdown level 3 looms, alcohol back on sale

To date, COVID-19 has infected at least 22,583 people across country and killed 429.

“Even as we move to alert level 3 it is important that we should be aware that there are a few parts of the country where the disease is concentrated and where infections continue to rise, Ramaphosa said.

“We will have a differentiated approach to deal with those areas that have far higher levels of infection and transmission.”

“These areas will be declared coronavirus hotspots.”

The following metros have been identified as coronavirus hotspots: Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Ethekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and Cape Town.

The other areas that are hotspots are West Coast, Overberg and Cape Winelands district municipalities in the Western Cape, Chris Hani district in the Eastern Cape, and iLembe district in KwaZulu-Natal.

READ: Phased return to universities announced

“We will assign a full-time team of experienced personnel to each hotspot,” Ramaphosa said.

“This team will include epidemiologists, family practitioners, nurses, community health workers, public health experts and emergency medical services, to be supported by Cuban experts.”

Lockdown level three will see several regulations eased with retail activity allowed to resume. There is also no curfew on the movement of people while public gatherings remain prohibited. South Africa’s controversial ban on tobacco products remains in place but the sale of alcohol returns.

South Africans were prohibited from buying alcohol and cigarettes when the country went into one of the world's strictest lockdowns on March 27.

"Alcohol will be sold for home consumption only under strict conditions on specified days and for limited hours," Ramaphosa said.

 South Africa will move to lockdown alert level three from 1 June.

President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the shift in levels in an address to the Nation on Sunday evening.

To date, COVID-19 has infected at least 22,583 people across country and killed 429.

“Even as we move to alert level 3 it is important that we should be aware that there are a few parts of the country where the the disease is concentrated and where infections continue to rise, Ramaphosa said.

“We will have a differentiated approach to deal with those areas that have far higher levels of infection and transmission.”

“These areas will be declared coronavirus hotspots.”

The following metros have been identified as coronavirus hotspots: Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Ethekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and Cape Town.

The other areas that are hotspots are West Coast, Overberg and Cape Winelands district municipalities in the Western Cape, Chris Hani district in the Eastern Cape, and iLembe district in KwaZulu-Natal.

NOW READ: Serious crimes are lower under lockdown says Bheki Cele

“We will assign a full-time team of experienced personnel to each hotspot,” Ramaphosa said.

“This team will include epidemiologists, family practitioners, nurses, community health workers, public health experts and emergency medical services, to be supported by Cuban experts.”

Lockdown level three will see several regulations eased with retail activity allowed to resume. There is also no curfew on the movement of people while public gatherings remain prohibited. South Africa’s controversial ban on tobacco products remains in place but the sale of alcohol returns.

South Africans were prohibited from buying alcohol and cigarettes when the country went into one of the world's strictest lockdowns on March 27.

"Alcohol will be sold for home consumption only under strict conditions on specified days and for limited hours," Ramaphosa said.