GEORGE NEWS - Under Level 1 Lockdown that kicked in on Monday, one of the biggest steps to helping the floundering economy is the opening up on 1 October of the South African borders.
In the tourism and hospitality industry in the Garden Route, it sparked a flicker of hope that this will lead to a gradual rise in international visitors in the coming months.
Level 1
- Eighteen land border airports and three international airports - OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airport - will resume international travel. The 35 land border airports currently closed will remain closed.
- All visitors from Africa are allowed. Visitors from as yet undisclosed countries, where infections are high, will temporarily not be allowed.
- All commercial seaports will open, but passenger-ferrying cruise ships will not be allowed to offload.
- On arrival, travellers will need to show a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours, otherwise they will be quarantined at their own cost.
- Those presenting symptoms will remain in quarantine until a repeat Covid-19 test is done.
- All travellers must download the Covid Alert South Africa mobile app.
- Visa applications at embassies will be permitted from next week and long-term visas will be reactivated immediately.
- Long distance (200km +) for buses and taxis remain at 70% passenger capacity.
- Curfew from midnight to 04:00.
- Restrictions on sporting events remain in place with no spectators or international sporting events allowed.
- 100 people (or half the venue capacity if 1,5m distancing is not possible) are allowed at funerals. Night vigils are still prohibited.
- Conferences, meetings, concerts, cinemas, theatres, weddings and political gatherings are permitted with a maximum of 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors - no more than 50% of venue capacity.
- Casinos, hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, timeshare facilities, resorts and guest houses are limited to 50% of capacity.
- Night clubs remain closed.
- Gatherings at gyms, fitness centres and swimming pools are allowed, limited to 50%.
- Owners and operators of facilities where gatherings are hosted (including restaurants and taverns) must display an occupancy certificate.
- Persons at gatherings must wear a mask and keep a 1,5m distance from others.
- Initiation practices remain prohibited.
- Retail sale of alcohol permitted Mondays to Fridays, from 09:00 to 17:00.
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