Cabinet lifts curfew ahead of NYE celebrations
Cabinet has announced several changes to the level 1 lockdown restrictions.
This includes the highly criticised curfew.
On Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele confirmed the curfew had been lifted with immediate effect.
The changes come despite concerns of rising Covid-19 infections, largely driven by the Omicron variant.
Despite concerns from some in the medical fraternity, government assured the country the 29.7% drop in the number of new cases during the Christmas week was enough to relax some of the restrictions.
“All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level,” Gungubele said following a meeting with the National Coronavirus Command Council and the President’s Coordinating Council earlier in the day.
“The curfew will be lifted. There will therefore be no restrictions on the hours of movement of people.”
It’s the first time in almost two years that the country will see unrestricted movement.
The limit on gatherings was also relaxed with indoor gatherings now capped at 1000 attendees, while outdoors guests are limited to 2000.
Alcohol establishments that have licences to operate beyond 11pm will return to full licence conditions.
“The risk of increase in infections is still high given the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant. Government therefore calls on all organisers of these gatherings to ensure that all health protocols are observed at all times and that all attendees are encouraged to be vaccinated,” said Gungubele.
“The NCCC will continue to closely monitor the situation and will make further adjustments as necessary, particularly if pressure on health facilities increases.”
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