National Coronavirus Command Council clusters to clarify Level 3

Various ministers serving in the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) are expected to shed some light on regulations relating to the COVID-19 restrictions, which will be implemented for Level 3 of the lockdown – which the country enters on Monday, 1 June 2020.

The Ministers of Sports, Transport and Tourism will announce various details pertaining to restrictions in their respective portfolios on Saturday, 30 May 2020.

All of the country’s economic sectors will be reopened, however there will be restrictions.

What we know so far about Level 3:

A keen focus is also on the sale of alcohol – which will be permitted between Monday and Thursday between 09h00 – 17h00.

Smokers will unfortunately have to wait a bit longer as the sale of cigarettes will remain prohibited under the regulations. The controversial decision has prompted a court bid by British American Tobacco SA (BATSA), which wants government to lift the ban on the sale of tobacco products.

The company said with the ban still in place, smokers would continue turning to the black market, which has dreadful consequences for the economy.

Movement between provinces, metropolitan areas and districts

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula will also clarify regulations over movement between provinces. Movement to and from work will be allowed as well as for buying essential goods. Limitations on movement across provinces, metropolitan areas, districts and hotspots will still be disallowed – except for people travelling to start work, moving to a new province or caring for an immediate family member.

Exercising

There will still be restricted times to exercise under level 3 – also under strict conditions including wearing a mask and not exercising in groups.

Under level 4, exercising was allowed between 06:00 and 09:00 and limited to a 5km radius.

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola has said it was up to South Africans to abide by the regulations accordingly, to further curb the spread of the virus.

“At this stage of level 3, the regulations place more responsibilities on individuals themselves and make sure that their family members also comply with health protocols”, Lamola said.

“It is not the responsibility of the police only to make sure that we are compliant. The police only comes in when there is clear non-compliance with the public and the first intervention of the police is to urge you to comply.”