By Kaya 959 News
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced South Africa will move from Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions to adjusted Level 3 on Sunday.
“My fellow South Africans, since I last addressed you 14 days ago, we have been fighting a battle on two fronts – the first against the deadly coronavirus, the second against the actions of those who have sought to create instability and chaos,” he said.
Below is a summary of key announcements made during the address:
Alert Level 3 Restrictions – Summary
- Curfew to remain in place 4 am to 10 pm
- Inter-provincial travel allowed
Level 3 restrictions as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa pic.twitter.com/8EDfaBLdmp
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 25, 2021
- Bar and restaurants will be allowed to open
- Alcohol sales will resume
18 and 34 to be vaccinated from the 1st of September 2021.
“We will now allow people between the ages of 18 and 34 to be vaccinated from the 1st of September 2021. This will be in addition to the age groups that are currently eligible, which is everyone over 35 years of age.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦#RebuildSouthAfrica
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 25, 2021
Vaccine Rollout update
- 10% of the population has been vaccinated.
“We have now administered more than 6.3 million vaccines, with over 10% of our population having received a vaccine dose.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦#RebuildSouthAfrica
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 25, 2021
- Aspen set to make vaccines for the African continent
“Aspen, based in Gqeberha, will from October be manufacturing vaccines solely for the African continent.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦#RebuildSouthAfrica
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 25, 2021
Also Read: Tbo Touch works on global COVID-19 arts documentary
The Social Relief of Distress Grant return until the end of March 2022
To support those who have no means of supporting themselves, we are reinstating the Social Relief of Distress Grant to provide a monthly payment of R350 until the end of March 2022.
This has been made possible by the slight improvement we have seen in our revenue collection.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 25, 2021
- Employment Tax Incentive
“We are expanding the Employment Tax Incentive for a period of four months to include any employee earning below R6 500 and to increase the incentive amount by up to R750 per month. This will encourage employers to hire and retain employees, especially those in the retail and hospitality sectors which have been worst affected.
We will also defer payment of PAYE taxes for a period of three months to provide businesses with additional cash flow, with an automatic deferral of 35 per cent of PAYE liabilities for employers with revenue below R100 million.”
Also Read: COVID-19: Gauteng’s R500m hospital stands empty
Additional Restrictions
- Gatherings will be allowed but will be limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
- Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.”
- Gatherings include religious services, political events and social gatherings.
- The limits on venue capacity also apply to restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, bars, taverns and similar places.
- Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
- Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings are not allowed.
- Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 8 pm.
- Schools will re-open on Monday 26 July, according to strict health protocols and other measures announced by the Minister of Basic Education.
- It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that always covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces.
“The owners and managers of public buildings, centres, shops, restaurants, taxis and buses all have a responsibility to ensure that people on their premises or in their vehicles wear masks.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 #RebuildSouthAfrica
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 25, 2021
READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE:
Statement by President @CyrilRamaphosa progress in the national effort to contain the Covid-19 pandemic https://t.co/xIOKtXilMs
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 25, 2021