South Africa to Loosen Coronavirus Lockdown Starting Monday

(Bloomberg) --

South Africa will ease lockdown rules at midnight on Monday, lifting most remaining restrictions on economic activity as it moves to so-called coronavirus alert level 2. These are some of the key provisions outlined in the Government Gazette:

Permitted Activities

• Restaurants, bars, guest houses, lodges and gymnasiums can reopen on condition they observe strict health protocols.
• Inter-provincial travel for leisure purposes is allowed.
• Alcohol sales for off-site consumption are allowed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays.
• Bars, restaurants and other licensed outlets can sell alcohol for on-site consumption until 10 p.m. throughout the week.
• Sales of tobacco products and e-cigarettes can resume.
• Beaches will be reopened.
• Social visits are allowed.

Remaining Restrictions

• A 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew is still in place.
• Most international travel remains banned.
• Cruise ships and night clubs aren’t allowed to operate.
• A maximum of 50 people can attend funerals, concerts, weddings and other events.
• Bars and gyms can admit a maximum of 50 clients at a time.
• Accommodation establishments and casinos can operate at half their normal capacity.
• Spectators aren’t allowed at sporting matches and no international events are permitted.
• Visits to old-age homes, prisons, police holding cells and health facilities aren’t permitted.
• Buses and taxis may only operate at 70% of their normal capacity for long-distance trips.
• Wearing face masks is mandatory in public places.

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