SA back to Level 1 restrictions as infection numbers drop, vaccines land

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country will be moving to level 1 lockdown restrictions as of Monday.

Ramaphosa addressed South Africans on Sunday night in one of his so-called family meetings.

His address came in the wake of much speculation that the amended level 3 lockdown regulations would be adjusted downward in light of lower infection rates.

This expectation was bolstered by the delivery of two batches of Covid vaccines to the country with more than 67 000 health care workers already being vaccinated in 10 days.

ALSO READ: SA reaches first Covid vaccine milestone ahead of schedule

Ramaphsoa said the second wave of the pandemic was far more devastating  than the first, but noted: “The country has now clearly emerged from the second wave.”

He said this was due to a number of factors, including public health measures, and more adherence to regulations and health protocols by the public.

Level 1 restrictions mean, among others, the following changes will occur from Monday:

• The curfew will be from midnight until 4am.
• Gatherings, including religious, political, social and cultural gatherings will be allowed with 100 people for indoor venues and 250 people for outdoor venues.
• The sale of alcohol is permitted according to normal licence provision, but no alcohol may be sold during curfew.

The following restrictions remain from the previous lockdown levels:

• Night vigils or other gatherings before or after funerals are still not permit
• Night clubs remain closed.
• The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory.
• The 33 land border posts that were closed will remain so and only 5 airports will be open for international flights, namely OR Tambo, Cape Town International, King Shaka International, the Kruger International airport, and Lanseria.

Ramaphosa noted though that the possibility of a third wave of the pandemic in the county cannot be disregarded and warned: “We cannot let out guard down.”

He said government was doing all it can to avoid super spreader events, especially in light of the emergence of the new Covid variant in the country, which has become the domain strain.

His address came as the country marked one year since the first Coronavirus case was confirmed in the country.

“So much has changed in our country and in our lives,” said the President, “But the spirit of our people has not changed.

“Now…we have a clear path towards containing infections and, ultimately, overcoming the disease,” he said noting that this can be done through basic health protocols like  wearing a mask and distancing, as well as through vaccinations.