SA to stay on alert level 1 amid discovery of new variant
President Cyril Ramaphosa address to the nation on Sunday night on developments on the Covid-19 pandemic. During his speech, he announced that South Africa will remain on lockdown alert level 1 even with the detection of the new variant, Omicron.
source: EWNThis comes amid a rapid rise
in infections, the discovery of the new Omicron variant and an endless list of
travel bans imposed against some Southern African countries, including South
Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said
that over the coming days, infection rates would be monitored and reviewed to
ensure that the current safety measures are adequate or if change need to be
made.
The increase in infections has
for now been centered in Gauteng, although cases are also rising in other
provinces. The president also urged those who were not vaccinated against
COVID-19 to do so, saying that it was the best way to fight the virus.
The president has condemned
travel bans imposed on South Africa and called on countries with bans currently
in place to urgently reverse their decisions before it damages our economy even
further.
As part of lockdown alert
level one regulations:
- the sale of alcohol for onsite and offsite consumption
remains permitted.
- Public gatherings are restricted to 750 people
indoors and 2,000 outdoors.
- The wearing of masks in public places is still
mandatory and failure to do so is a criminal offence.
- And the curfew remains in place from 12pm to 4
am.
By
Danielle Mentoor
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