SOUTH AFRICA - GOVT ANNOUCES LEVEL 4 LOCKDOWN CURFEW FOR ALL CITIZENS

South Africa will implement a curfew as of 1 May.

The country is moving from level five to level four of lockdown, gradually reopening businesses to get the economy moving again.

The curfew will be in place between 20:00 and 5:00, government says.

We will move back to level five if citizens do not comply: Dlamini-Zuma
“The curfew means that when you come back from work, you stay at home,” says cooperative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

She was briefing the media alongside the minister of trade and industry Ebrahim Patel.

Minister Dlamini-Zuma, who warns that the behaviour of South Africans will determine how the country moves through the various levels of lockdown.

“If we keep to all the things we need to do, we may stay on level four and eventually go to level three.

“If we move down to level four and we do not stick to the conditions and restrictions and the virus spread starts speeding up, government will have no option but to move swiftly back to level five.”

Dlamini-Zuma says exercise will be allowed but under very strict conditions.

“Gyms will remain closed. Organised sport, walking and jogging not allowed. We will put very strict regulations under which exercise can be done,” she explains.

“Visiting is still not allowed. You cannot visit your friends, you cannot visit your neighbours or visit your relatives. That is still not allowed.

“Inter-provincial travel will still not allowed, except under exceptional circumstances, like people returning to work if there sectors are open or their companies are open or people going to funerals under strict conditions.”

Lockdown level 4: Minister Patel details which sectors will reopen

As part of the risk-adjusted strategy to reopening the economy, several sectors will reopen from Friday. However, only under strict guidelines and restrictions to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.

Restaurants, takeaways and similar establishments will reopen on 1 May but only for deliveries, trade and industry minister Ebrahim Patel announced during a media briefing on Saturday.

Food deliveries will be allowed during non-curfew hours.

With winter approaching, Patel says there is a need for the sale of winter clothes and heaters to be allowed.