The curfew stays, you’ll have to wear a mask to the gym and you can only order alcohol until 10pm. But you’ll be able to visit your family and hang out with your friends.
Resource details:
Publication title: Disaster Management Act regulations: Alert Level 2 during coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown
Author(s): The department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs
Publication date: 17 August 2020
What the regulations are about:
South Africa moved to level 2 of the nationwide lockdown on Tuesday 18 August. These regulations update the rules put in place as part of the country’s response to the new coronavirus outbreak. The new laws lift a number of restrictions previously imposed.
Key take-aways from the regulations:
Restrictions lifted under lockdown level 2
- Booze is back under level 2. The sale of alcohol for consumption on-site and at home is now allowed. Click here for more details about South Africa’s alcohol regulations.
- Visits to friends and family can now take place on the condition that these are limited to no more than 10 people at a time.
- Visits to beaches and public parks are permitted.
- Gyms can open but only 50 people can exercise at a time.
[3 September 2020 update: The department of sport, arts and culture amended regulations provided greater detail on gyms reopening.
- People taking part in vigorous exercise should not wear face coverings, according to these regulations. However, a distance of metres must be maintained between individuals doing this form of exercise.
- Gym equipment should be spaced out to allow for physical distancing. Low and medium intensity equipment should be no closer than 1.5 metres apart, while two metres should be left between high intensity gym equipment.
- Gym facilities should encourage social distancing by marking out floors with the 1.5 metre or two metre spacings. Posters explaining the social distancing requirements should also be placed around the facility.
The amended regulations are available here.]
Restrictions still in place under lockdown level 2
- International passenger flights for leisure remain grounded under level 2.
- Nightclub doors stay closed during level 2.
- Night vigils are still not allowed.
- Sports fans are still barred from attending fixtures. The ban on international meets stands.
Public transport
- Public transport services such as buses and taxis are restricted to 70% of their capacity on trips for a distance of 200 kilometres or longer.
- These vehicles are permitted to transport 100% of their capacity for shorter trips, however. Masks remain mandatory.
- Public transport drivers, owners and operators are prohibited from transporting passengers not wearing masks.
Other rules in the regulations
- A six-hour curfew is in place between 22:00 to 04:00.
- Initiation practices are not allowed during the national state of disaster.
- You still can’t visit the following places except if you have permission from the Cabinet member in charge: prisons, military detention facilities, holding cells, visits to retirement homes and medical facilities (unless receiving treatment).
- People may not be evicted from their home or land under level 2 without a court order.
- Your landlord can’t penalise you if you pay your rent late, if the reason you can’t pay is caused by the national state of disaster. Penalties for late rental payments caused by the national state of disaster are considered unfair practice.
- Remote work is still encouraged where possible. Businesses with more than 100 employees should consider implementing shift systems to ensure everyone isn’t at work at the same time.
- Gatherings at churches and mosques are allowed but only 50 people can attend at a time.
You can find and download the regulations here.
[Please note: Information on the new coronavirus is rapidly changing. Please refer to the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs website for the latest information. Visit www.sacoronavirus.co.za for updates on South Africa’s coronavirus response.]
