From Sunday 28^th February 2021, at midnight, South Africa has moved to Alert Level 1.

South Africa has seen a large reduction in the number of cases of Covid-19 since Level 3 restrictions were reinstated in late December 2020. The second wave of the pandemic took a heavy toll on South Africans, both in the number of people who died and the economic cost of restrictions. However, the good news is that the restrictive measures were successful in reducing the spread of the virus.

In light of this, Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a reduction in the restrictions imposed during the Level 3 lockdown. Level 1 allows the economy to start working at a closer to normal pace. However, Ramaphosa has stressed that South Africans need to be aware that there is a danger of a third wave and therefore we need to remain vigilant at all times and continue to practice the basic health protocols of wearing a mask, social distancing and hand-washing. There is a real fear that the third wave could arrive as quickly and without warning as the second-wave did.

South Africa has recorded more than 1 500 000 cases of Covid-19 and nearly 50 000 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic one year ago. Currently there are an estimated 33 141 active cases in South Africa. Hospitalisations are down to just over 7 500 people in hospital and there are roughly 1200 new cases per day. The death rate currently stands at around 50 people per day (down from around 800 people a day at the height of the second wave). At the moment, the most active cases are in Gauteng, followed by KwaZulu-Natal.

South Africa is in the process of vaccinating its health workers. So far, over 60 000 people have been vaccinated. As more batches of the vaccine arrive in South Africa, so more people will be vaccinated. Once the health workers have all been vaccinated, the next groups of people eligible for the vaccination include the elderly, essential workers, people living or working in institutions and people with co-morbidities. The vaccine remains the most important way that South Africa, in the long run, can overcome coronavirus and the disease, Covid-19, that it causes in humans.

Although it’s a great relief to have restrictions reduced to Level 1, it remains important to be vigilant at all times. As we begin to gather together more than we have in the past few months, we need to keep in mind the threat of the third wave. It seems that the waves are currently about 3 months apart so don’t led your guard down too much.

So what do the return to Alert Level 1 mean?

Can I go without my mask?
No, definitely not. Wearing a mask remains one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of the virus. It needs to cover your nose and your mouth in order to be effective. Wearing your mask becomes even more important as other restrictions are lifted because it is one of the main ways you can keep yourself save. The coronavirus is definitely still circulating and it is waiting for the chance to infect people. Keeping that mask on doesn’t give the virus that much of a chance.

The only exception in wearing a mask is when you are involved in energetic exercise.

It remains a criminal offense not to wear one in public.

Can I go out later at night?
Yes, the hours of curfew have been reduced. You can go out until 12pm but you must stay home from then until 4am unless you are permitted to travel outside curfew hours.

Closing time or all establishments such as restaurants, gyms, cinemas and theatres is 11pm.

Can I go to a nightclub?
No, nightclubs remain closed. There is little to no social distancing at night clubs so they are not allowed to operate during Level 1 lockdown.

Can I go to social, cultural, political or faith-based gatherings?
Yes, these types of gathering are now permitted. There are limitations though. You can have 100 people in an indoor venue and 250 people in an outdoor venue. If the venue cannot hold 100 or 250 people, then only 50% of the venue’s capacity may be used. Social distancing remains hugely important so people need to be socially distanced in all venues. Hand sanitiser needs to be available to everyone at the venue.

This also means that visits to old-age homes and prisons are now allowed as long as all the health protocols are in place.

Can I buy alcohol on the weekends?
Yes, alcohol can now be sold according to the normal trading hours. However, alcohol may not be sold during the hours of curfew. Also, you may not drink alcohol in public spaces except at a licensed venue. You could be arrested if you drink alcohol on a beach or in a park.

Can people still work from home?
Yes, working from home is still encouraged although social distancing gatherings in the work-place are allowed (with all the health protocols in place). The economy is expected to start operating at nearly full capacity again.

Have the restrictions around funerals changed?
100 people are now allowed to attend a funeral if the venue allows for it (and is no more than 50% full). If the venue is too small for 100 people, then not more than only 50% of the venue may be full. There needs to 1,5 metres social distancing between everyone at the venue.

Funerals may only last for 2 hours and no night vigils or other gatherings make take place outside of those 2 hours.

Can I watch a live sports match?
No, you are not yet allowed to attend sports matches. International sports events may take place without an audience as long as the country the international sports people come from has low or medium Covid-19 infection rates.

Can I travel out of South Africa?
There have been very few changes in terms of travelling. Only 20 border posts are open for use and the other 33 land borders remain closed.

International flights are available from the three large airports in the country, OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka. Lanseria, near Johannesburg, and the Kruger Mpumalanga airports have now been opened to international travel.

It’s really good that there has been even more relaxation of the restrictions. But, as always, it is very important to wear your masks, wash your hands and socially distance. One day, when enough people have had the vaccination, we may be able to move on from these basic health protocols but for now that are a must! Keep in mind the speed of the second wave and how it really knocked us.

Let’s work together to prevent preventing a third wave. Be safe!