Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma made the announcement that South Africa’s national state of disaster will be extended by another month.
In a gazette published on Monday (12 July), Dlamini-Zuma stated that the state of disaster will continue until 15 August 2021, taking into account the need to augment existing legislation and contingency plans.
South Africa declared a national state of disaster under Section 27(1) and Section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act on 15 March 2020 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Government has relied on the state of disaster to introduce and give effect to lockdown restrictions, which are used to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
The latest state of disaster extension, follows after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country’s level 4 lockdown will continue for another 14 days.
This is due to the high number of Covid-19 infections in the country with persistently high new infection numbers.
The following restrictions will remain the same:
- The evening curfew remains in place from 21h00 – 04h00, and only those with permission to do so may leave their homes during this time;
- All social, religious, and political gatherings remain prohibited;
- Schools will remain closed until 26 July;
- The sale of alcohol remains prohibited.
The following restrictions will be eased:
- Restaurants and eateries will be able to operate as normal while observing strict protocols – Such establishments may not accommodate more than 50 people at a time or, for smaller venues, more than 50% of their normal capacity;
- Certain other venues such as gyms and fitness centres may also reopen;
- Agricultural activities such as livestock auctions will be permitted.
The president said that the Cabinet has decided that all business licenses and permits that expired between March 2020 and June 2021 will remain valid until 31 December 2022.
Sources: Business Tech
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