SA heads into Level 3 lockdown, curfew extended, alcohol sales banned

These measures will be reviewed next month. 

In KwaZulu Natal, eThekwini, uMgungundlovu, Harry Gwala, King Cetshwayo, Ilembe and Ugu districts have been declared coronavirus hotspots. Ramaphosa advises that travel to these districts should be avoided.

The nationwide curfew will be extended from 9pm to 6am. Apart from permitted workers and for medical and security emergencies, nobody is allowed outside their place of residence during the curfew. 

Non-essential establishments – including shops, restaurants, bars and all cultural venues must close at 8pm. The list of these establishments will be released shortly.

The sale of alcohol from retail outlets and the on-site consumption of alcohol will not be permitted. The prohibition on consuming alcohol in public spaces like parks and beaches remains.

Ramaphosa adds that the distribution and transportation will be prohibited with exceptions that will be explained by the minister.

All beaches, dams, lakes, public parks and public swimming are now closed to members of the public from Tuesday 29 December 2020.

This is to rein in the spread of coronavirus. He says the number of new infections that are being recorded daily, nationwide, has been climbing at an alarming and unprecedented rate. 

Ramaphosa says these new harsher restrictions are aimed at minimising the risk of super spreader events, decrease unsafe interactions and the burden on healthcare services for resources. 

He says they also want to increase the implementation of the country’s five key prevention measures: social distancing, masks, hand hygiene, symptom-checking and testing.

If you are caught without a mask, you could be arrested and prosecuted, and liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.

Under the adjusted level 3 regulations:

- All indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days from the date hereof, except for funerals and other limited exceptions as detailed in the regulations, such as restaurants, museums, gyms and casinos.

Funerals cannot be attended by more than 50 people with social distancing measures in place.

During this evening’s ‘family meeting’ with the nation, he said the harsher restrictions are necessary after more than 50 000 new cases were confirmed since Christmas Eve.

The majority of these emerged in KwaZulu Natal, the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. Infections are also on the rise in Limpopo. 

Ramaphosa says this second wave seems to be fuelled by super spreader events, family gathers and year-end events. He says we have let our guard down.

At these gatherings, consumption of alcohol has contributed to risky behaviour. He says people remove their masks and don’t observe social distancing when they are under the influence of alcohol.

These events have sadly contributed to the influx of trauma cases in hospitals. Stabbings and motor vehicle crashes have put unnecessary strain on public and private facilities, some which have reached capacity.

Ramaphosa says health officials are trying to prepare additional beds but frontline workers are becoming ill themselves. He says many are exhausted and at a breaking point because of our failure to take responsibility for our actions. 

Covid-19 infections in South Africa have surpassed one million, making SA the first African nation to breach the grim mark. 

South Africa is currently in the grip of a second wave and the latest data from the Health Ministry shows that the new variant of coronavirus accounts for the majority of the country’s fresh infections. 

For three consecutive days, from Wednesday until Friday, the daily number of new cases topped 14,000, but dropped sharply again on Saturday and Sunday.

Listent to the full speech here: