Ramaphosa introduces mask mandate, warns of jailtime for rebels
South Africa has joined a list of countries across the world with mask mandates, including parts of the United States and Brazil.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced more stringent Covid-19 regulations on Tuesday.
He placed the country under an adjusted level 3 which will see the ban on public gatherings, the closure of all beaches and parks, a longer curfew and a return on the ban of booze.
Under level 3, masks will now also be mandatory.
“Given the grave danger our country now faces, the adjusted level 3 regulations will make every individual legally responsible for wearing a mask in public,” Ramaphosa said.
“From now on it is compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public space. A person who does not wear a cloth mask covering over the nose and mouth in a public place will be committing an offence.”
Ramaphosa warned that ignoring the mask mandate could result in a harsh penalty of six months behind bars.
“A person who does not wear a mask could be arrested and prosecuted. On conviction, they will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.
“This is a drastic measure but is now necessary to ensure compliance with the most basic of preventative measures.”
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Ramaphosa declared several new districts across the country as hotspots, adding to Nelson Mandela Bay and Sarah Baartman in the Eastern Cape, as well as the Garden Route District in the Western Cape.
Chris Hani District, Buffalo City, Amathole District, Alfred Nzo District and the OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape are now also hotspot areas.
EThekwini, Umgungundlovu District, Ugu District, Harry Gwala District, King Cetshwayo District and Ilembe District in KwaZulu-Natal were also added to the list.
“In Gauteng, the West Rand District, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg are declared hotspots. In the North West, Bojanala District is declared a hotspot area. And in Limpopo, the Waterberg District and the Capricorn District are declared coronavirus hotspots,” he said.
Ramaphosa believes the additional measures will be the country’s saving grace amid the rising infection rate.
