New COVID Hotspot Rules for South Africa
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has published a series of gazettes which officially introduce localised hotspot restrictions in South Africa.
The gazettes give effect to an address made by president Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday evening (3 December), in which he announced that local restrictions will be introduced for the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
While the Metropole is specifically provided for in the first gazette, Dlamini-Zuma also published a second gazette which introduces the concept of ‘hotspots’ under the current level 1 lockdown restrictions.
This section is not specific to any one area, but rather provides generalised rules for hotspot areas which could arise in the country going forward. They also provide more information than what was announced during Ramaphosa’s address.
A third explanatory gazette has confirmed that, other than in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan area, lockdown level one measures will continue to apply until further notice.
You can read more about the hotspot rules below.
Movement of persons
Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 22h00 until 04h00 daily, except where a person:
- Has been granted a permit to perform a service other than an essential service; or
- Is attending to a security or medical emergency
Attendance of funerals
Attendance at a funeral is limited to 100 persons or less, provided that not more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other.
- Night vigils are not allowed;
- After -funeral gatherings are not allowed in areas determined as hotspots;
- During a funeral, a person must wear a face mask and adhere to all health protocols and social distancing measures.
Sale and dispensing of liquor
For purposes of an area determined as a hotspot, the sale of liquor by licensed premises for off-site consumption is only permitted from 10h00 to 18h00, from Mondays to Thursdays, excluding Fridays. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
The consumption of liquor in public places, except in licensed on-site consumption premises, is not permitted. The sale and/or consumption of liquor in contravention of the above is an offence.
Gatherings
Every person, when attending a gathering and in order to limit exposure to Covid-19 must:
- Wear a face mask;
- Adhere to all health protocols;
- Maintain a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other; and
- Adhere to any other health protocols and social distancing measures as provided for in directions issued by government.
An owner or operator of any indoor or outdoor facility where gatherings are held must display the certificate of occupancy which sets out the maximum number of persons the facility may hold.
Gatherings at faith-based institutions, workplace functions, political events, and other social events are limited to 100 persons or less in case of an indoor gathering, and 250 persons or less in case of an outdoor gathering. This is provided that no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue is used, with persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other.
Gatherings at cinemas, theatres and occasions are allowed provided they do not exceed 50% of venue capacity.
Sports grounds, fields, beaches, public parks, museums, galleries, libraries and archives will all remain open, subject to social distancing measures.
Offences and penalties
Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes one of the above regulations commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
