Covid-19: South Africa moves back to Adjusted Alert Level 3! [update]

update (26 July 2021): South Africa's Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has published a government gazette which moves the country to Adjusted Alert Level 3 as announced by the President on 25 July 2021.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in an address to the nation on 25 July 2021 that based on the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19, and inputs from the President's Coordinating Council, the Cabinet has decided to move South Africa from Adjusted Alert Level 4 to Adjusted Alert Level 3. This means that:

• The hours of curfew stay the same, starting at 22:00 and end at 04:00.
• Interprovincial travel for leisure may resume.
• Non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars and fitness centres may be opened. These establishments need to close by 21:00 to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
• Gatherings are allowed but are limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
• Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.
• Gatherings include religious services, political events and social gatherings.
• The limits on venue capacity also apply to restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, bars, taverns and similar places.
• Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
• Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings are still not allowed.
• The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption is permitted between 10:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Thursday.
• Alcohol sales for on-site consumption is permitted as per licence conditions up to 20:00.
• Schools re-open on 26 July 2021, according to strict health protocols and other measures announced by South Africa's Minister of Basic Education.

It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that always covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces.
The owners and managers of public buildings, centres, shops, restaurants, taxis and buses all have a responsibility to ensure that people on their premises or in their vehicles wear masks.
They must also ensure that the appropriate social distancing measures are in place and are adhered to.
It is important to remember that it is a criminal offence if the number of people on these premises exceeds the maximum number of customers or employees allowed.