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Cabinet has declared Nelson Mandela Bay Metro a coronavirus hotspot and imposed additional restrictions to stem the rising number of Covid19 cases in the Metro.
They include a tighter curfew from 10 pm to 4 am and the sale of alcohol from retail outlets in the Metro will be allowed between 10 am and 6 pm from Monday to Thursday.
Alcohol consumption in public places has been banned and post-funeral gatherings or so-called “after tears” parties have also been banned. However, the summer initiation season would go ahead in the province, but not in Nelson Mandela Bay.
"Gatherings, including religious gatherings, may not be attended by more than 100 people for indoor events and 250 for outdoor events. At all times, the total number of people in a venue may not exceed more than 50% of the capacity of the venue."
Addressing the nation on Thursday night, President Ramaphosa said the resurgence of the coronavirus in the Eastern Cape, particularly Nelson Mandela Bay and the Sarah Baartman District, necessitated these interventions.
He said in the last three weeks, the country has seen a marked rise in new infections and hospitalisations with 4 400 new cases recorded on Wednesday, the largest daily increase since the middle of August.
The President said most of these infections were reported in Nelson Mandela Bay, Sarah Baartman District, and the Garden Route which has also seen an increase in hospital admissions and deaths as well as “excess deaths.”
He said the Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize will visit Sarah Baartman District and Garden Route in the coming days to assess the situation and to engage with various stakeholders in the province.
“Based on this assessment and the development of the disease in these areas, the National Coronavirus Command Council will determine the appropriate course of action,” Ramaphosa said.
The President said among the reasons for the rise in transmission was that many people were travelling between provinces and within each province in higher numbers, especially with the festive season approaching.
“Social, cultural, and religious gatherings are being held in large numbers. In many cases, these gatherings are often attended by many more people than what is permitted under Level 1 restrictions. What is concerning is that these are also often held in venues with poor ventilation.”
“Several hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro have reported a rise in alcohol-related trauma admissions,” Ramaphosa said.
He said when identifying a hotspot, consideration is given to the number of new COVID-19 cases per day, the testing rate within the population, the percentage positivity rate within the population, the number of active cases, the number of hospital admissions, and the number of deaths.
“So tonight, I am asking you to recommit yourself to this fight. We can still prevent the virus from spreading any further if we take the appropriate steps now. Just as we did in the early days of the pandemic, let us stand together and let us work together,” Ramaphosa appealed.
The National State of Disaster was also extended to 15 January with Level 1 restrictions remaining in force.
