South Africa’s National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is scheduled to meet before Sunday (11 July) as they come to a final decision on whether or not they should extend the current Level 4 lockdown regulations. It is likely that the news will not be positive.
Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, has confirmed that a number of business will have to remain closed in South Africa until after a decision is made over the weekend.
In a government gazette published on Tuesday, Nathi Mthethwa said that gyms, fitness centres, cinemas, and a number of other businesses will need to remain shut under the current lockdown restrictions – with no exceptions.
The gazette also stated that any person who attends a faith-based, religious, social, political or cultural gathering and who knows that is prohibited, is committing an offence and will be liable for a fine and/or imprisonment for up to six months.
These restrictions will be in effect until Sunday (11 July) at which point they will be reviewed and an update will be provided.
Economists at the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) have said that this week’s Covid-19 statistics should influence whether the government decides to extend the two-week adjusted level 4 regulations.
“Unfortunately, given the progression of the third wave since the measures were announced, we think it is likely that most, if not all, of the current restrictions will be extended,” the BER said. This will then start to have a more meaningful adverse impact on the Q3 2021 GDP performance.”
In the last 24 hours the Health Department says it has recorded 21 427 infections, pushing the country’s known caseload to 2 112 336. 411 people have died, pushing the national death toll to 63 039. Recoveries stand at 1 853 804.
Sources: MSN, Business Tech
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