South Africa to ease lockdown regulations

Johannesburg, Sep 13 South Africa would move to Adjusted Alert Level 2 from 3 starting Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced.

He said on Sunday night that while the third wave is not yet over, a sustained decline in infections was seen across the country over the last few weeks.

The average number of daily new infections over the last week was 29 per cent lower than the preceding 7 days, and 48 per cent lower than the 7 days before that, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Cabinet has therefore decided that the country should be moved from Adjusted Alert Level 3 and placed on Adjusted Alert Level 2 with effect from tomorrow," he said.

This means that curfew would begin at 11 p.m. and end at 4 a.m.; All gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors; Alcohol can be sold on from Monday to Friday, one day more than before.

Ramaphosa also said the issue of vaccine passports was being considered.

"We will also be providing further information on an approach to 'vaccine passports', which can be used as evidence of vaccination for various purposes and events," he said.

While urging people to exercise their right and participate in the elections, the president warned about reckless behaviour that may lead to the fourth wave.

With over 7 million of the population being fully vaccinated, he appealed to others to get the jab to contain the spread of the virus.

"Let us make it our mission to vaccinate as many people as we can, so that we can move ahead with the task of rebuilding our economy and our lives," he said.