Curfew
South Africa has changed tack on tackling COVID: why it makes sense
The South African government has decided to take a more pragmatic approach while keeping an eye on severe COVID and whether or not health systems are imminently...
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele briefed the media on Friday on government’s decision to lift curfew, saying it appeared that the country had passed the peak of the fourth wave.
The alliance said New Year's Eve celebrations brought with them big crowds and an increased risk of poor observation of non-pharmaceutical interventions to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Cabinet on Thursday night announced the immediate lifting of the midnight to 4am curfew and an increase in the number of people who can gather indoors from 750 to 1,000 were permissible.
Businesses in the hospitality sector, which had been hard hit by restrictions meant to curb the spread of the pandemic, pushed for the curfew to be lifted ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations on Friday.
Cabinet approved the further easing of lockdown level 1 restrictions, saying that it appeared that the country had passed the peak of the fourth COVID-19 wave.
South Africa remains on lockdown alert level 1, with the curfew from midnight to 4am in the morning.
South Africa remains on lockdown alert level 1 with the curfew from midnight to 4 am.
The group's legal team has sent a letter of demand to Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma, claiming that the continued implementation of national curfews as part of the national state of disaster was irrational and unjustified.
Under current lockdown rules, businesses can only operate until early afternoon and inter-city travel is banned.
The East African country has seen a spike in coronavirus cases because of unbridled mass gatherings and more people flouting health guidelines, President Uhuru Kenyatta said in a statement.
On Sunday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country will move from level 4 COVID-19 restrictions to adjusted level 3.
The sale of alcohol for off-site consumption has also been adjusted and is now permitted between 10 am and 6 pm from Monday to Thursday.
Members are back at the Union Buildings in Pretoria staging a peaceful protest.
The city is appealing for a change to the curfew in order to ensure longer trading hours.
The City said many businesses barely scraped through the first round of lockdowns, with many now facing closure due to the reduced trading hours.
Mayco member for economic opportunities, James Vos, said that the municipality had received reports of SAPS enforcement operations that was inconsistent.
Police also arrested many drunk drivers during a roadblock over the weekend.
Bars, shebeens and clubs were among the establishments raided by Police Minister Bheki Cele and law enforcement officials for contravening the Disaster Management Act.