Booze restrictions, gatherings, curfew tightened as Ramaphosa returns South Africa to level 3

The decision takes effect on Tuesday night.

Ramaphosa addressed the country amid the runaway Covid-19 infections across the country.

In the last week, the country has recorded an average of 7500 daily infections and almost 800 Covid-related deaths.

Hospital admissions due to Covid-19 have also jumped 59 percent over the last two weeks compared to the preceding 14 days.

All provinces have experienced a dramatic spike in infections recently, except the Northern Cape.

Gauteng is the most worrying, with predictions that province's new cases will surpass the peak of the second wave in a matter of days.

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High-level discussions with the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and Cabinet concluded on stricter regulations in a bid to arrest the surge.

"The massive surge in new infections means that we must once again tighten restrictions on the movement of persons and gatherings. We need to enforce compliance more rigorously and we need to take firmer action against those who do not adhere to the regulations.

"In view of the rising infections, we have therefore decided to move the country to Alert Level 3," said Ramaphosa.

The biggest changes in regulations affect curfew hours, alcohol sale and consumption, as well as gatherings.

"This means that the hours of curfew will start at 10pm and end at 4am. Non-essential establishments like restaurants, bars and fitness centres will need

to close by 9pm to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.

"All gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used. This includes religious services, political events, and social gatherings, as well as

restaurants, bars, taverns and similar places," Ramaphosa added.

Funeral attendance will also be capped at 50 mourners, while night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and 'after-tears' gatherings remain prohibited.

"The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption will only be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday.

“This excludes public holidays. Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 9pm.

"Alcohol consumption in all public spaces, such as beaches and parks, is strictly forbidden."

Since the start of the lockdown in March last year, Ramaphosa has had to balance the act of saving lives and saving livelihoods.

He admitted that in addition to the devastating loss of lives, the country's economy could again feel the pinch with the latest changes.

Level 3 restrictions will remain in place indefinitely.

"The move to Alert Level 3 will affect several aspects of our lives and may require changes to activities that we had planned. This includes, for example, arrangements for the Youth Day commemoration, which was scheduled to be held in Pietermaritzburg tomorrow. This will now be a hybrid event, with a significantly reduced number of people physically in attendance, and a virtual address by the president.

"We each have a responsibility to take the necessary action to protect ourselves and others," Ramaphosa said.

Listen to Ramaphosa below: