Level 3 lockdown ‘likely’ – and SA can expect FIVE tougher rules to return

Grit your teeth Mzansi, we’re about to go through the worst part of a pandemic… again. Cases are rising, hospitals are filling up, and we don’t have the luxury of widespread vaccine coverage. Therefore, a tougher stage of lockdown has been proposed by the Ministerial Advisory Committee, and the theme of our family meeting tonight might be ‘Level 3’.

Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation on 15 June

This stage of lockdown was last implemented in December 2020, when our second wave spiralled out of control. Six months after Level 3 was brought back, the so-called ‘halfway house’ between hard lockdowns and the easiest possible set of restrictions is now firmly on the cards – and the announcement on these changes is looming on the horizon.

Following much speculation, Cyril Ramaphosa WILL address the nation tonight – it’s an 20:00 start, for those of you who can bear to watch it. However, if we return to Level 3 as planned, you can expect to see these changes…

Level 3 loading? Here’s what Ramaphosa is likely to announce during Tuesday’s family meeting

Alcohol ban

It’s top of the agenda, according to some sources. Whether a total alcohol ban will return, or if it’ll just be tougher restrictions, remains to be seen – but liquor bosses are likely to be furious with any form of prohibition coming back.

Earlier curfew

It goes hand in hand with tougher booze regulations, but the five-hour curfew currently in place for South Africa is now likely to be extended. Government advisors believe the 23:00 – 4:00 shutdown isn’t having an effect on new infections.

Restaurant, social hub opening hours reduced

If a curfew gets extended, it’s always bad news for those in hospitality and entertainment. By law, venues are required to close ONE HOUR before the overnight shutdown kicks in. The earlier the curfew, the more business these places lose.

Smaller gatherings

You can forget meeting 250 people outside, or even the 100 people indoors law. We’re expecting this to be slashed significantly, following talks held by Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday. SA is on course to cap outdoor gatherings at 100, and indoor gatherings at 50 – but the president may go EVEN FURTHER if the situation does not improve.

Land borders also under scrutiny

South Africa infamously shut down a large number of land borders during the last wave of COVID-19. Now, with variant fears at an all-time high, this measure is also up for debate on Tuesday. Eish, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.