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South Africa to enter adjusted level 3 lockdown from midnight

This evening President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation regarding the second wave of infections that South Africa is currently experiencing. The country’s leader explained that we have failed to adequately adhere to new regulations under lockdown level 1 in recent weeks, and as a result, the country will now be moved to an adjusted level 3 lockdown as of midnight tonight (28th December).

Since Christmas Eve last week, the president said that more than 50 000 new cases for COVID-19 have been recorded. The result is the total number of infections to date now sitting at just over 1 million (1 004 413), with 26 735 fatalities related to the virus also being recorded to date.

These latest figures have resulted in government needing to take drastic measures, the president added in his address.

The president also confirmed that this new level of lockdown will last until 15th January 2021, whereafter it will be assessed.

Among some of the key adjustments outlined under the new level of lockdown sees curfew being extended to 21:00 in the evening until 6:00 in the morning, with exceptions only existing for essential workers and services. All indoor and outdoor gatherings have also been banned under the adjusted regulations, with funerals only being permitted, provided that no more than 50 people are in attendance.

Once again the sale of alcohol came under the spotlight during the address, with its sale and distribution being banned until further notice.

Other notable elements in the president’s address sees the addition of several new hotspots being identified in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, North West and Limpopo with these provinces seeing the largest proportion of new COVID-19 infections and fatalities in recent weeks. Ramaphosa urged that those living in hotspot districts should limit their travel only to where it is essential.

With South Africa failing to curb the rising number of infections during the festive season, which was feared by many, it remains to be seen what the coming weeks will hold, and whether another hard lockdown is in the offing.

To watch the latest address from president Ramaphosa, you can check out the lived streamed event via the SABC’s YouTube channel here.

[Image – CC BY-ND 2.0 on Flickr

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