On 28 December 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced several adjustments to the level 3 of lockdown that we are currently in. These will remain in place until at least 15 January, after which they will be reviewed.
Face-to-face gatherings
All social gatherings are prohibited from 29 December 2020 for a 2-week period.
Venues such as conference centres, cinemas, theatres, casinos, restaurants, gyms and museums may continue to operate, but must ensure the following:
- They do not exceed 50 people maximum in an indoor venue and 100 people in an outdoor venue, while also ensuring they do not exceed 50% of their capacity. This means small venues that would normally accommodate 50 people will be required to not exceed a maximum capacity of 25 people.
- All venues must display a certificate of occupancy which sets out the maximum number of persons the facility may hold.
- Social distancing and mask wearing must be enforced. Failure to do so will see the person responsible for the establishment liable for a fine or imprisonment for up to 6 months.
- In line with the 21:00 curfew, these establishments must close at 20:00.
Because the sale alcohol has been banned, bars, taverns and night clubs must remain closed. Wine estates are no longer allowed to offer wine tastings.
Public parks, swimming pools, beaches, dams and lakes in hot spot areas remain closed, while game parks, public parks, botanical gardens, zoos and aquariums that can control entry may remain open between 06:00 and 18:00.
Tourism
Both international and domestic tourism is allowed, whether for business or leisure. However certain limitations remain in place, such as:
- Travellers arriving in South Africa must a provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID test not older than 72 hours.
- If travellers fail to submit proof of a negative test result, they will be required to do an antigen test on arrival at their own cost.
- Travellers who test positive for Covid-19 will need to quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.
Accommodation facilities may operate at 100% room capacity. However they will need to put measures in place to ensure that social distancing and mask wearing is maintained in all common areas.
Buses and taxi services must not exceed more than 70% of their licensed capacity for long distance travel (covering distances of 200km or more), but may carry 100% of their licensed capacity for shorter trips (less than 200km).
Curfew
The extended curfew is from 21:00 to 06:00, and only essential workers or those attending to a medical or security emergency may be out within this time frame.
Travellers who arrive in the country during curfew will need to ensure they have their ticket and stamped passport on them when on route to their accommodation.
Hot spot areas
Western Cape
- City of Cape Town
- Garden Route
- West Coast
- Cape Winelands
- Central Karoo
- Overberg
Eastern Cape
- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Buffalo City
- Sarah Baartman
- Amathole
- Chris Hani
- OR Tambo
- Alfred Nzo
Gauteng
- City of Tshwane
- City of Johannesburg
- West Rand
- Ekhuruleni
KwaZulu-Natal
- Ethekwini
- Umgungundlovu
- Ugu
- Harry Gwala
- Ilembe
- King Cetswayo
Limpopo
- Waterberg
- Capricorn
North West
- Bojanala
Please note that this is a developing situation and we will post updates as the pandemic progresses.
To access Government Gazette with these full regulations, click here.
