President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday has announced that South Africa is returning to Level 1 of the lockdown effective from this evening.
Addressing the nation, President Ramaphosa says South Africa has clearly emerged from the second wave of coronavirus.
“New infections, admissions to hospital and deaths have fallen significantly and continue to decline steadily.”
The President says the new alert level will come into effect Sunday evening once the regulations have been gazetted. “The hours of the curfew will now be from 12 midnight to 4am.”
Under level 1, gatherings will be allowed – but must be limited to 100 people indoors and 250 people outdoors. Night vigils after funerals are still not permitted.
Alcohol sales are allowed in normal trading hours – but are not allowed during curfew hours. President Ramaphosa says people must still adhere to protocols like wearing masks.
South Africa has also secured 20 million doses from Pfizer, which will be delivered from the second quarter.
Ramaphosa says, “Additionally, we have secured 12 million vaccine doses from the COVAX facility and are in the process of finalising our dose allocation from the African Union.”
The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offence. pic.twitter.com/lybUu4LvFR
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) February 28, 2021
Ramaphosa further announces that the 33 land border posts that are closed will remain closed for the time being. The other 20 land border posts that were opened under Level 3 of the lockdown will stay open.
President Ramaphosa addresses the nation on COVID-19 response:
According to the President, the return to Alert Level 1 means that most of the remaining restrictions on economic activity have been removed.
SA under Lockdown Level 1:
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