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President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed South Africans following a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country. He announced measures to reduce infections as the country heads into the festive season.
As of Monday, the total number of cumulative cases in the country had surpassed 850 000, with total deaths linked to the virus at over 23 000.
Here are some of the measures the president announced:
- The Garden Route & Sarah Bartmaan district municipalities join Nelson Mandela Bay as COVID-19 hotspots
- All drivers of public transport must ensure passengers wear masks
- All gatherings (including religious gatherings) must not exceed a capacity of 100 people indoors and 250 outdoors
- Beaches & public parks:
- Eastern Cape: All closed
- Western Cape: Only Garden Route
- KwaZulu-Natal: all closed on 16, 25 and 26 December as well as 1, 2 and 3 January
- No parties or festivals at beaches, no New Year’s Eve parties
- Curfew hours extended from 11pm to 4am
- Non-essential establishments including restaurants & bars must close at 10pm
- Sale of Alcohol restricted to 10am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday only
- Alcohol consumption at all beaches & parks strictly prohibited
The President added that all of the above will be reviewed in early January 2021 under the National State of Disaster.
