South Africa moves to adjusted COVID-19 alert level 4 – Here are the new restrictions

The country is officially in the third wave of the coronavirus

President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed it has become more serious than previous peaks.

Ramaphosa briefed the country on the results of a National Coronavirus Command Council meeting this week, saying that nation would be moved to adjusted alert level 4.

“After 14 days, we will examine where we are. We will assess the impact of the restrictions to determine if they need to be maintained or adjusted,” he said.

The restrictions are as follows:

All gatherings – political, social, or cultural – are prohibited

Funerals and cremations will continue, but can’t exceed 50 people in numbers

After-funeral gatherings and

Public spaces like parks will remain open, but no gatherings are permitted at such places.

A curfew will be in place from 9pm to 4am. All establishments must be closed by 9pm.

All alcohol sales have been prohibited

Restaurants can only sell food for takeout or deliveries

Schools and other education institutions closing for winter will be brought forward. Schools will begin to close on Wednesday, and all schools must be closed by Friday.

Contact classes in tertiary institutions will be closed this week and access to the buildings will be closed. Residences, however, will remain open.

An exhaustive list will be made available once it is has been gazetted by government.