Tag Archive for: Regulations

Andrew Stegmann
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South Africans Urged to Follow COVID Rules or Face Tighter Lock-down

Tighter lockdown restrictions might be coming our way should South Africans not up their COVID-19 safety measures.

This is a warning from COVID-19 ministerial advisory committee member Professor Ian Sanne recently.

Sanne, who’s also CEO of Right to Care – a non-government organisation, stresses the mounting burden the pandemic puts on the health sector.

“I think South Africa will have no choice but to lock down further if people don’t seriously practice social distancing.”

Sanne said studies were being done to weigh up the effect of an increased viral load against COVID-19 clinical outcomes.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize last week announced that South African scientists have identified a variant of the coronavirus – and that the current second wave in the country is being driven by this.

Mkhize has raised concerns over complacency amongst young South Africans.

“It cannot be that our youth must only adhere to life-saving measures only after being policed to do so. We, therefore, call on parents, caregivers and youth to understand that it’s now not just a matter of thinking about others or even about yourself and therefore you yourself are equally at risk of dying of COVID-19.”

 

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.

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

Andrew Stegmann
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All the Countries That Have Banned South African Flights, Or May Soon, Due to the New Corona Variant

Several countries have imposed travel bans on South Africa after a new, potentially more infectious SARS-CoV-2 mutation was confirmed.

The 501.v2 variant has been identified in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and along the Garden Route. It may have properties that allow it to spread faster than other variants of the coronavirus.

A new, and also possibly more virulent variant has, similarly, been confirmed in the UK by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who announced tougher lockdown measures for London on Saturday 19 December. Following the announcement, dozens of countries have banned flights from the UK.

These countries have already closed their borders to South African travellers in response to the new variant.

Israel

On Sunday 20 December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that all commercial flights from Britain, Denmark and South Africa had been suspended. Any travellers returning to Israel, who had spent any period of time in either Britain, Denmark or South Africa in the past 30-days, will be subject to a mandatory quarantine period.

Turkey

Turkey’s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced a temporary ban on all flights from Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and South Africa, citing dangers of the new Covid-19 variant. “It has been reported that the rate of transmission has increased with the mutation of the coronavirus,” said Koca.

Germany

Germany’s Federal Minister for Health Jens Spahn confirmed that flights from the UK and South Africa would be suspended from Monday 21 December. “Because of the reported coronavirus mutation, the federal government intends to restrict travel options between Germany and Great Britain and South Africa,” added government spokeswoman Martina Fietz.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the suspension of all international flights. Passengers in transit on Monday 21 December will, however, be allowed to complete their travel plans. The suspension will last until the end of 2020 and may be extended if cases continue to rise in high-risk countries.

Switzerland

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Civil Aviation “suspended all air traffic connections” with South Africa and the UK on Sunday night. “Switzerland is reacting to the appearance of a new variant of the coronavirus, which, according to initial findings, is significantly more contagious than the known form,” the authority said in a statement.

These countries have banned travel from the UK, which makes bans on SA likely to follow

The UK has been hit with a swell of flight suspensions across the European Union and the world. Bans impacting South Africa, as a result of the 501.v2 variant’s presence, are likely to follow.

  • France
  • The Netherlands
  • Denmark
  • Norway
  • Belgium
  • Lithuania
  • Latvia
  • Estonia
  • Italy
  • India
  • Ireland (flights and ferries)
  • Austria
  • Hong Kong
  • Canada
  • El Salvador
  • Colombia
  • Morocco
  • Chile (effective Tuesday)
  • Finland
  • Argentina

 

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.

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

Andrew Stegmann
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As COVID Numbers Worsen, New Lock-down Restrictions for South Africa Announced

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced new lockdown measures at both national, and district level for South Africa.

In a national address on Monday evening (14 December), the president said that the country has been hit by a second wave of coronavirus infections with nearly 8,000 new cases reported on Sunday.

There can no longer be any doubt that South Africa has entered a second wave, said the president. “If we do not act urgently, the second wave will be even more severe than the first wave.”

The president pointed to four provinces leading this second wave, including:

  • The Western Cape
  • The Eastern Cape
  • KZN
  • Gauteng

There are probably many reasons for this massive spike in infections, but some key contributors are now becoming clearer, the president said.

Ramaphosa said that most cases are reported in young people between 15 and 19 years. He said that one of the main reasons for the massive spike in infections are social gatherings and parties- particularly the matric rage event.

“In many of these gatherings, social distancing is not being observed, venues are crowded and not adequately ventilated, hand sanitiser is not readily available, and people are not wearing masks,” he said.

Many people consume alcoholic drinks at these ‘super-spreader’ events, with the result that people become less careful about taking measures to protect themselves and prevent infection.

“We now know that nearly 1,000 young people from Gauteng who attended the event have tested positive for the coronavirus. What we don’t yet know is how many more people each of them has infected.

“It is said that up to 300 families could in turn have been infected. The sad truth about is that festivals, concerts & parties – which should be occasions for fun & joy – are proving to be sources of infection & illness and may even lead to deaths.”

Other reasons behind the rise infections include increased travel between provinces and a relaxed attitude to current lockdown regulations such as wearing masks.

“The more we travel, the greater the potential to spread the virus,” the president said.

He said that the relatively low rates of infection over the last few months have made us more relaxed about wearing a mask over our nose and mouth every time we go out in public.

“Another factor in the rise in infections is increased travel with many people not observing prevention measures as they move within cities, towns and rural areas, and between different areas.”

“The festive season now poses the greatest threat,” the president said. “Unless we do things differently, this will be the last Christmas for many South Africans,” he said.

Local restrictions

Ramaphosa said that it is necessary to take extraordinary measures to save lives, while still protecting livelihoods.

These measures include local lockdown restrictions for the Sarah Baartman District in the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route District in the Western Cape, which have been declared hotspot regions.

From 00h01 on Tuesday, until a drop in infections is seen, the following additional restrictions will take affect in these areas:

  • Hours of curfew will be from 22h00 – 04h00 except for essential workers and emergencies;
  • The sale of alcohol will only be permitted between 10h00 and 18h00, from Monday and Thursday at retail outlets;
  • Alcohol use will be banned in public places such as beaches and parks;
  • All gatherings, including religious gatherings, may not be attended by more than 100 people for indoor events and 250 people for outdoor events;
  • At all times the total number of people may not exceed 50% of venue capacity;
  • All post-funeral gatherings are now prohibited.

National lockdown

Ramaphosa also announced that further national restrictions will be reintroduced from 00h01 on Tuesday.

These restrictions will be reviewed in early January based on the state of the country’s coronavirus cases, he said.

The new restrictions include:

  • Stricter enforcement of existing level 1 lockdown restrictions – This includes that people in public buildings and public transport wear masks.
  • Gatherings – Gatherings will be further restricted to 100 people for indoor events and 250 for outdoor events. The total number of people in a venue may not exceed 50% of the capacity of the venue.
  • Funerals – All post-funeral gathering are prohibited across the country.
  • Beaches – Ramaphosa said that a differentiated approach will be used for the country’s beaches and public parks. In areas with high coronavirus cases beaches and parks will be closed from 16 December to 3 January – this will apply to all of the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route. Beaches will also be closed in KZN on days which are seen as particularly busy. These include 16 December, 26 December, 31 December, 1 January, 2 January, and 3 January. Beaches and public parks in the Western Cape and Northern Cape will remain open for now.
  • Evening – South Africa’s national curfew will be extended: 23h00 until 04h00. This means that non-essential establishments such as restaurants will have to close at 22h00 so that staff and patrons can go home before curfew. The curfew is in full effect on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
  • Alcohol – The sale of alcohol will only be permitted from 10h00 – 18h00 from Monday to Thursday at retail outlets. Wine farms can remain open and sell alcohol for off-site consumption as per their licence hours.

 

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.

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

Andrew Stegmann
,

COVID-19: Cape Town to Crack Down on Alcohol Non-Compliance During Festive Season

  • City of Cape Cape Town says that not having the ability to have a good time New Year’s Eve is the least of their issues this festive season because the Covid-19 state of affairs might change into a lot dire.
  • When the curfew begins, folks can be required to be off the streets.
  • The City can be visiting at the least three alcohol retailers a day in every suburb, to lower the spate of alcohol-related incidents.

The City of Cape Cape Town can be intently eyeing liquor retailers this festive season, as alcohol-related trauma incidents might place an pointless burden on town’s hospitals amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, the City’s Safety and Security and Community Services and Health Directorates held a briefing addressing the City’s 2020/21 festive season preparedness plan, discussing new implementations that will be taken to curb the unfold of the coronavirus.

Cape Town mayco member JP Smith stated operational plans can be put in place for large days reminiscent of New Year’s Eve.

“The South African Police Services, along with the City services, will put an operational plan in place for each of these big days,” stated Smith.

“When the curfew starts, we will require people not to be on the streets”, he added.

Smith stated that in the mean time, the least of their issues was that folks wouldn’t be allowed to have a good time New Year’s Eve as earlier than.

In addition to the brand new plan, the City can be visiting at the least three alcohol retailers a day in every suburb to monitor compliance, in a bid to lower the spate of alcohol-related incidents.

Law enforcement visited 69 retailers in October and 85 in November, checking for compliance.

This would additionally be certain that hospitals weren’t clogged up by alcohol-related trauma.

Beaches, swimming swimming pools

Addressing the accessibility of leisure parks and seashores, councillor Zahid Badroodien stated the general public would have to work intently with the recreation and parks division to ensure that all of the laws have been adhered to.

“The City has about 370km of coastline and a number of beaches and tidal pools along the length of the City,” he stated.

He stated that in any respect these varied places, facility workers, lifeguards and identikits can be out there over the festive season.

Badroodien additionally emphasised that seaside goers ought to attempt to come dressed for the seaside to minimise interplay within the altering rooms.

With the Covid-19 laws, the swimming pools have been solely in a position to take about 50% of the standard quantity of patrons.

“If you have any symptoms or know of anyone who has had Covid-19 within a short space of time, or if you are waiting for test results, please don’t come to any of our public facilities,” urged Badroodien.

The City was anticipated to have over 600 lifeguards that will be positioned; 340 of whom can be situated seasonally on the seashores, whereas 300 can be based mostly at swimming swimming pools.

 

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.

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