Covid-19: South Africa moves to "Adjusted Alert Level 2"!

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in an address to the nation on 12 September 2021 that based on the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19, which have been discussed at the National Coronavirus Command Council and with Premiers, mayors and traditional leaders in the President’s Coordinating Council, the Cabinet of South Africa has decided to move the country from Adjusted Alert Level 3 to Adjusted Alert Level 2 with effect from 13 September 2021. This means that:

• The hours of curfew will now start at 23:00 and end at 04:00.
  
• Non-essential establishments like restaurants, bars and fitness centres will need to close by 22:00. This is to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
• All gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.
• Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.
• This includes religious services, political events and social gatherings, as well as restaurants, bars, taverns and similar places.
• The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption will be permitted between 10:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Friday.
• Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 22:00.
• Alcohol consumption remains prohibited in public spaces.
  

These measures will be reviewed in two weeks time depending on the state of the pandemic in South Africa.

Several important measures remain in place:

• It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that always covers their nose and mouth when in public spaces.
• It is a criminal offence not to do so, and the managers of shops and restaurants as well as drivers of taxis and buses have a responsibility to ensure that their customers wear masks, and that the appropriate social distancing measures are in place.
• Funerals remain restricted to no more than 50 people, and, as before, night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.

South Africa reopens four additional domestic airports!

South Africa's Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, announced at a media briefing on 25 August 2020 on the new Covid-19 regulations related to the transport sector under alert level two, that in addition to the 14 airports already permitted to operate in South Africa four more airports have been given the green light to resume operations. The Minister named Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in Hoedspruit in Limpopo, Phalaborwa Airport/Hendrik Van Eck Airport (PHW) in Phalaborwa in Limpopo and Margate Airport (MGH) in Margate in KwaZulu-Natal as the new additions. Under alert level two, international air travel in South Africa remains prohibited.

The following 14 airports are currently operating in South Africa:

• OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg 
• King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban 
• Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town 
• Lanseria International Airport (HLA) in Johannesburg
• Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein
• Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Nelspruit
• Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) in Pietermaritzburg
• Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth
• Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay
• Skukuza Airport (SZK) in Kruger National Park
• Upington Airport (UTN) in Upington
• East London Airport (ELS) in East London
• George Airport (GRJ) in George
• Kimberley Airport (KIM) in Kimberley

 online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: Regulations for tourism-related activities & directions for the tourism sector under alert level two!

South Africa's Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, hosted a virtual media briefing to outline tourism-related activities and directions for the tourism sector under alert level two of South Africa's risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19 on 19 August 2020. According to the Minister, the Department of Tourism has developed the followig directions for the tourism sector in South Africa which provide further clarity on the existing regulations.

• Accommodation:
• The requirement announced under alert level three remain and addition to the direction is to allow accommodation for inter-provincial leisure travellers.
• Accommodation facilities are expected to ensure that their breakfast and reception area keep to 50% of occupancy space.
• Restaurants:
• The requirement announced under alert level three remain and addition to the direction to allow onsite consumption of alcohol is permitted at licensed restaurants, bars every day and incompliance with the curfew time that starts at 22:00.
• Places of Attactions:
• Places of attractions are allowed to open. These include theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, family entertainment centres, zoos, aquariums, science centres, nature and game reserves, national parks and other entertainment and cultural attractions.
• Tourism attractions must ensure social distancing and marking floors where tourists must stand. The Department of Tourism further encourages online bookings were possible, to allow managing of the numbers.
• Tourism attractions must ensure that tourists and tourist guides wear their masks and sanitise regularly
• Tourism attractions must provide sanitisation, where attractions have touch screens and touch buttons
• For all activities such water, quad bikes, hot air balloon etc, tourism attractions must ensure proper sanitisation after every use.
• Self Drives at Game Farms
• Directions under alert level three remain in place.
• Guided Tours:
• Tourist Guides must ensure social distancing (e.g. marking seat or standing areas), sanitise, and wear masks at all times during the tours.
• Tourist guides must keep records of their group tours and make them available when required by relevant authorities.
• Venues for Weddings and Functions:
• The wedding host or function venue must ensure that they comply with requirement of a maximum of 50 people.
• The wedding host or function venue must further ensure compliance to social distancing, sanitising and wearing of masks.

Coronavirus pandemic: South Africa moves to lockdown alert level two! [update]

update (17 August 2020): The Government of South Africa has officially gazetted the new regulations for lockdown alert level two. Under alert level two, Airbnb establishments (or similar) for instance are now permitted to do business again for the first time since the start of the lockdown on 27 March 2020.

South Africa moves to lockdown alert level two on 18 August 2020 at 00:01. This was announced by the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa during a televised address to the nation on 15 August 2020. According to the President, the decision was in light of the steadily declining number of COVID-19 infections in South Africa . The country has, since the end of March 2020, instituted a nationwide lockdown with risk-adjusted alert levels to stabilise the soaring COVID-19 infections. The Government of South Africa continues to encourage people to stay at home if they can and, if possible, to work from home, especially if they are over the age of 60 or have underlying conditions. 

The following changes will take effect under lockdown alert level two:

• All restrictions on inter-provincial travel will be lifted.
• Accommodation, hospitality venues and tours will be permitted according to approved protocols to ensure social distancing.
• Restaurants, bars and taverns will be permitted to operate according to approved protocols as to times of operation and numbers of people.
• Restrictions on the sale of tobacco will be lifted.
• The suspension of the sale of alcohol will be lifted subject to certain restrictions.
• Alcohol will be permitted for on-site consumption in licensed establishments only up until 22:00.
• Liquor outlets will be allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday during the hours of 09:00 to 17:00 only.
• Restrictions on family and social visits will also be lifted, although everyone is urged to exercise extreme caution and undertake such visits only if necessary.
  

The following restrictions will remain in place:

• Current restrictions on international travel will remain in place.
• No gatherings of more than 50 people will be permitted. Among others, this includes funerals and religious events.
• Spectators will not be permitted at sporting events.
• The curfew will remain in place between the hours of 22:00 and 04:00.