Nelson Mandela Bay declared Covid-19 hotspot, additional restrictions implemented
Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape has been declared a Covid-19 hotspot following a dramatic spike in infections.
Additional restrictions will be implemented, taking effect at midnight.
The new measures were announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who held a family meeting on Thursday where he raised concerns about the resurgence of cases, particularly in the Eastern Cape and parts of the Western Cape.
“In addition to the existing Alert Level 1 regulations, the following additional restrictions will apply in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro with effect from midnight tonight: the hours of the curfew will be from 10pm and 4am. This means that – except for emergencies – no person may be outside their place of residence between those times,” Ramaphosa said.
Alcohol will only be sold from Monday to Thursday between 10am and 6pm.
The public consumption of alcohol is also banned.
Gatherings, including religious gatherings, may not be attended by more than 100 people for indoor events and 250 people for outdoor events. All post-funeral gatherings are prohibited.
“These additional measures are necessary to contain the resurgence in Nelson Mandela Bay, to prevent outbreaks resulting from social gatherings and to protect the capacity of the healthcare system to provide care to those who need it,” Ramaphosa added.
“In determining these restrictions, we have sought to take those steps which are absolutely necessary to save lives while limiting disruptions to the economy.”
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It says the decision was made in support of efforts to avoid a resurgence of Covid-19 in the province. The KZN government's said in a statement that the provincial executive council took the decision on Wednesday at its final meeting of 2020.
The Sarah Baartman District in the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route District in the Western Cape also account for a large portion of new infections.
“Hospital admissions in these districts are on the rise, in some instances comparable to those during the first wave of infections,” Ramaphosa said.
“There are a number of reasons for the rise in transmission. Many people are travelling between provinces and within each province in higher numbers, especially with the festive season approaching. In the case of the Garden Route, this also applies to the movement of seasonal workers who work in one province and live in another province.”
Ramaphosa pleaded with South Africans to observe the Covid-19 protocols to avoid risking lives and livelihoods.
