Lockdown easing allows little breathing space

GEORGE NEWS - The morning walk or cycle of up to 5km that South Africans are allowed between 06:00 and 09:00 from tomorrow, Friday 1 May, under the Level 4 regulations is one of the concessions in a slight easing of lockdown.

"Just imagine, it's still dark at 06:00 in the morning and there'll be people with a dog on a leash in the one hand and a torch in the other, and of course a face mask. Somewhat spooky," was the comment of George Herald journalist Eugene Gunning, who is sure to be out and about tomorrow morning to get some exercise with his beloved dog.

Masks have become mandatory whenever one is out in public.

Stranded Georgians keen to get home
Another allowance is for people who have been stranded away from home for the past seven weeks to travel home. A Georgian couple, Johan and Elsa Basson, are among a number of gratefuls from George who have started a WhatsApp group, 'Gestrand in Gauteng'. Elsa Basson has had to postpone an important doctor's appointment because of the restrictive travel allowances. The group are now making plans to get to George, perhaps hiring a kombi to all drive down together, because flights will only be allowed from Level 3.

Make-up now legal, ladies
Hardware supplies, winter clothes, bedding, stationery, educational books and cars are among the items that are now allowed to be sold.

Women will be happy to hear that cosmetics are legal again, while alcohol and tobacco sales are still off-limits.

If restaurants in your area decide to do meal deliveries, many moms will be relieved to order takeaways again - where reduced budgets allow.

Manufacturing at 30%
Some 1,5 million workers will return to work under strict conditions. Businesses that open, will have to adhere to strict hygiene regulations.
All manufacturing may resume at 30% capacity, but what Government has classed as essentials can continue at 100% capacity (such as petroleum refineries and smelters, pharmaceutical products, etc). Winter clothing and heating manufacturing is allowed at 50% of capacity.

Telecom services, infrastructure, information and communication technology companies are allowed to operate and service private homes as well.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said in a media briefing yesterday that movement between provinces will not be allowed, except where people live in one province and work in another (a permit will be required for travel).

The regulations on funerals have not changed and close relatives still need a death certificate and permission from the police station or Magistrate to attend. The borders - sea borders, air and land ports of entry - are still closed except for goods that are arriving or leaving the country.