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On Tuesday morning, the government gazetted the new regulations for the festive season which will apply until January 3, and are effective immediately.
They have warned that these are not set in stone and could be subject to change based on infection numbers and the efficacy of the rules in place.
One of the most notable changes to the restrictions initially presented to us in President Ramaphosa’s most recent ‘family meeting’, is the measures that will be used to enforce compliance, and a change to curfews, which will differ depending on whether or not a region is considered a hotspot.
The South African Government website has been updated to reflect these changes.
We’ll do a breakdown of the overarching restrictions in place, for ease of access.
Curfews
- Everyone will be confined to their homes from 11PM to 4AM unless they live in an area that has been declared a hotspot, in which case curfew is from 10PM to 4AM.
- The only exceptions are for those why have been “granted permission through directions by the relevant cabinet member or have a permit” to perform an essential service.
Business Closing Times
- Outside of hotspots, all businesses, including but not limited to restaurants, faith-based institutions, bars, casinos, gyms, concert venues, and offices, must be closed by 10PM (head here for the full list).
- Hotspot areas must close up shop by 9PM.
You can find all of the beach closure rules here.
Business Regulations
- An employer must not allow an employee to perform duties or enter the employment premises without a mask.
All businesses must:
- Determine the number of employees and customers that can safely occupy the premises at one time.
- Take steps to ensure that persons queuing inside or outside the premises are able to maintain a distance of one and a half metres from each other.
- Provide hand sanitisers for use by the public and employees at the entrance to the premises (more detailed restrictions here).
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Any business whose premises exceeds the maximum number of customers and employees determined or commits an offence is, “on conviction, liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment”.
Also this from Bheki Cele via The South African:
“Businesses breaking COVID-19 protocols will be fined R5 000. If you repeat, we suspend your business for seven days. Do it a third time, and we will shut you down for three months. People who are breaking the law, we will deal with their management to tell them their establishments are facing the danger of being shut down.”
The ‘offences’ include non-compliance with the regulations required to operate, listed above.
Mandatory Protocols When In A Public Place
- Everyone has to wear a mask or equivalent at all times, and wear it correctly. As the president pointed out, wearing it under your nose or chin, or keeping it in your pocket, is fundamentally incorrect. We should know this by now, but it apparently bears repeating.
If you don’t wear a mask you will not be allowed to:
- Use, operate, or perform any service on any form of public transport.
- Enter or be in a building, place or premises, including government buildings or places or premises used by the public to access goods or services.
- Be in any public space.
In short – you have to wear a mask and wear it correctly whenever you leave the house.
You are allowed to remove your mask if you are:
- Eating or drinking provided physical distancing is in place.
- Exercising in a public place, provided you stay at least one and a half metres away from any other person.
Places Closed To The Public
- Night clubs are closed to the public.
- Any place determined to be a risk or considered a place where COVID-19 can be easily spread could be closed upon review.
For the full list of restrictions, including those pertaining to religious and social gatherings, visit this website.
Stay safe out there.
[sources:sagov&southafrican]
