Breaking News
NATIONAL NEWS - President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday evening 27 June, nearly two weeks since his last address when he announced level 3 lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19.
He announced that the country would be placed on adjusted alert level 4, effective from Monday 28 June for the next 14 days.
Cases have rapidly increased since the last adjusted restrictions, with Gauteng being the epicentre, recording the most daily Covid-19 cases in the third wave.
Professor Tulio D’Oliveira confirmed on Saturday that the Delta variant first found in India – known as B.1.617.2 – is fast becoming the dominant strain in South Africa. The president confirmed that this variant is highly transmissible and that this wave may be worse than the previous two, and could last longer.
The following restrictions will come into effect on Monday 28 June:
- Alcohol sales on-site or off-site consumption is prohibited for 14 days.
- All gatherings are prohibited; these include social, religious and political.
- Restaurants and other eateries may only serve food for takeaway or delivery.
- School holidays will begin from Wednesday (30 June); all schools expected to be closed by Friday 2 July.
- Curfew now starts at 9pm, and ends at 4am.
- Non-essential establishments are required to close by 8pm.
- Gauteng provincial travel for leisure is prohibited. Travel is only permitted for work, transporting goods, funerals or to return home. Travelling between other provinces is allowed.
- Funeral services have been limited to 50 people indoors. No night vigils or post-funeral gatherings are permitted.
- Public spaces such as beaches will remain open, but no gatherings allowed.
Vaccine rollout
Ramaphosa provided an update on the vaccination rollout.
Over 480, 000 healthcare workers and over 2.2 million members of the public have received vaccines as part of Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout. Registration dates for those aged 50 and above will be announced soon.
