New Level 4 lockdown rules — what you can and can’t do

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Corporate Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has published the updated alert level 4 lockdown regulations for South Africa.
This follows an address by President Cyril Ramapahosa last night where he announced that much stricter restrictions are needed due to a surge in Covid-19 cases in South Africa.
One of the major reasons for the surge, experts have said, is that the Delta variant of the coronavirus is spreading in South Africa.
The Delta variant, which was first discovered in India, is more transmissible than the Beta variant that has been the dominant mutation in South Africa since the second wave at the end of last year.
Ramaphosa said that scientists have detected a significant presence of the Delta variant in five provinces: Free State, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.
“We are concerned because it is more transmissible,” the president stated. “Because it is more contagious, it can infect far more people.”
According to the president, there is some debate among scientists over whether the Delta variant causes more serious symptoms than the Beta variant, which was first detected in South Africa.
He said that preliminary data shows that the Delta variant does not cause more severe Covid-19.
This disagrees with statements from Professor Shabir Madhi, the director of the Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytical Research Unit at Wits University, who said that the Delta variant is more virulent — meaning that it results in a greater likelihood of developing serious disease.
However, Ramaphosa said that the Delta variant does reportedly infect more children, though the rate of infection remains slower than in adults.
He said that there is emerging scientific evidence that people who were infected by the Beta variant do not have full protection against the Delta variant and can be reinfected.
To curb the spread of this new variant, the president announced that gatherings and alcohol sales would be banned, along with leisure travel into and out of Gauteng.
The curfew has also been extended for an extra hour. It will now run from 21:00 to 04:00.
School holidays will be brought forward, with schools now scheduled to close between Wednesday and Friday.
The new regulations kicked in on 28 June 2021 and will be applicable until 11 July, at which time they will be reviewed the president said.
Curfew and mask mandate
It remains a criminal offence to not wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth while you are in a public place, with certain exceptions.
Failing to comply with an instruction from an enforcement officer to wear a mask may result in a fine and/or imprisonment of up to six months.
Everyone is confined to their homes from 21:00 until 04:00 unless they are performing an essential service as determined by a cabinet minister, have a permit, or are attending to a security or medical emergency.
If you have arrived on a late flight and must travel from the airport during the hours of curfew, you will be allowed to do so provided that you have a valid boarding pass or a copy of the airline ticket.
The closing time for the establishments like restaurants (delivery only) is at 20:00 to allow staff and patrons to get home before the start of the curfew.
Gatherings
All gatherings are banned, except for funerals where a maximum of 50 attendees are allowed.
Funerals are limited to a maximum of two hours.
During a funeral, people must wear their masks and adhere to all health and protocols and social distancing measures. Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings remain forbidden.
Restaurants are closed because patrons can’t keep their masks on and still enjoy their food, Ramaphosa said.
Premises closed to the public
The following places are closed to the public:
- Gyms and fitness centres
- Flea markets
- Fêtes and bazaars
- Night clubs
- Casinos
- Taverns and shebeens, except for off-site consumption of food and non-alcoholic beverages
- Restaurants, except for off-site consumption of food and non-alcoholic beverages
- Conferencing, exhibitions, and entertainment facilities
- Theatres and cinemas
- Museums, libraries, archives, and galleries
- Visits to old age homes and care facilities are prohibited
- Other premises may be closed if there is a risk of anyone being exposed to Covid-19 at the place in question.
Alcohol and tobacco
The sale of alcohol is banned, whether for on-site or off-site consumption.
“The Ministerial Advisory Committee has advised that the limited restrictions that we previously imposed [on alcohol sales] were not particularly effective,” Ramaphosa said.
To ease the pressure on South Africa’s strained hospitals, government has decided to once again implement an outright ban on alcohol.
Travel and transport
Bus and taxi services may not carry more than 70% of the licensed capacity for long-distance travel (200km or more).
Public transport may carry 100% of the licensed capacity for any trip not regarded as long-distance travel.
A driver, owner or operator of public transport must not allow anyone not wearing a face mask covering their nose and mouth to board their vehicle.
Leisure travel into or out of Gauteng is restricted. Travel for work purposes, to deliver goods and services, to attend funerals, and to return home is permitted.
Schools
The winter holidays for all schools will be moved to an earlier date, with all public and private schools now scheduled to close between Wednesday and Friday this week.
Higher education institutions will be closed for contact classes from Wednesday (30 June). Residences will be allowed to remain open.
Ramaphosa said that more details about school closures and reopenings would be communicated by the relevant Ministers.
Summary
What you are required to do | |
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What you must do |
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What is not allowed |
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Leaving your home | |
What is allowed |
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What is not allowed |
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Funerals | |
What is allowed |
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What is not allowed |
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Gatherings and sporting events | |
What is allowed |
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What is not allowed |
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Premises and places closed | |
What is not allowed |
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Opening of borders | |
What is allowed |
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What is not allowed |
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Public Transport | |
What is allowed |
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Beaches and Parks | |
What is allowed |
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What is not allowed |
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Sale and Dispensing of Liquor | |
What is allowed |
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What is not allowed |
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Economic Sector | |
What is allowed |
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What is not allowed |
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Movement between provinces | |
What is allowed |
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What is not allowed |
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Exercise and Sport | |
What is allowed |
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