South Africa: You Can Now Move House Under Level 4 Lock-down Rules, But Only Until 7 June

South Africans can move house again, as long as the country does not go back up to Alert Level 5.

Under regulations published by cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, people and their household effects may move around South Africa on a once-off basis – even across provincial lines.

But there are terms and conditions – including that any move must happen by 7 June.

The rules are intended to allow people to move when they have entered a new lease agreement, either before or during lockdown, or where they have bought new homes and the transfer of the property has already gone through.

In those cases, once-off relocation is allowed. But there are strict limits.

You may only move “household furniture and effects” as required to move into a new home.

For now, at least, there is also a specific window for moves, similar to the just-closed window for those who needed to change provinces to go back to work. That window is open from Thursday, 7 May, and will close again on 7 June if the lockdown level is not relaxed or new rules are not issued before then.

If you are moving between towns, you’ll also need permission from the police. Travel “across provincial, metropolitan or district boundaries” require a permit issued by a station commander, Dlamini-Zuma said.

You need to have that permit, plus a signed lease or transfer documents to hand during travel.

(Compiled by Phillip de Wet).

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Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].