File
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the closure of all land borders and that South Africa would remain on adjusted level 3 lockdown.
Addressing the nation on Monday night, the President said since New Year’s Day, South Africa recorded 190 000 new infections and recorded 4 600 deaths.
He said the provinces with the highest average infection rates were Kwazulu Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga.
“New infections in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape have grown fast and had now far exceeded the peak during the first wave. Infections in Gauteng are growing exponentially and are expected to increase further as more residents return to the province following the festive break.”
Ramaphosa said however, the government was encouraged that the rate of new infections in the Eastern Cape, while still high, is lower now than they were in the middle of December.
The President said most of the measures that were announced on 28 December would therefore remain in place including the ban on alcohol sales, restrictions on numbers at funerals, which Ramaphosa described as “death traps”, remain at 50 while large gatherings remain prohibited.
The curfew was adjusted from 9 pm to 5 am as more people return to work following the Festive Season shut down.
President Ramaphosa said all 20 land borders would be closed until 15 February.
However, the movement of people would be allowed for the transportation of fuel, cargo, and goods, emergency medical attention for a life-threatening condition, the return of South African nationals, permanent residents, or persons with other valid visas.
“It is necessary that we keep the Alert Level 3 measures in place until we have passed the peak of new infections and we are certain that the rate of transmission has fallen enough to allow us to safely ease the current restrictions,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President also said that the National Coronavirus Command Council will also provide guidance in the coming days as schools and other educational institutions prepare to begin the new academic year in the midst of the second wave of infections.
