President announces reintroduction of R350 relief grant until end of March 2022, financial relief for the unemployed, hospitality, retail and alcohol sectors.

Its  been a month since South Africa was placed under stricter lockdown restrictions aimed at reducing COVID -19 infections and easing pressure on the healthcare system.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved the country to alert level 3 of the national lockdown following his meeting with the National Coronavirus Command Council, the Presidential Coordinating Committee, and Cabinet on Saturday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was addressing the nation on government response to COVID-19 pandemic. Ramaphosa said SA has passed the peak of the third wave of covid-19 infections. He also announced that alcohol may be sold as from today. South Africans between 18 and 34 can be vaccinated from 1 September, said Ramaphosa. The President also announced reintroduction of R350 relief grant until end of March 2022. Ramaphosa announced financial relief for the unemployed, hospitality, retail and alcohol sectors.

Social gatherings allowed but limited to 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors and travel will be eased as from today. Gauteng reopens for leisure travel after holidaymakers were banned from entering and leaving the province. Leisure travel in and out of the province was previously banned.

Curfew will now start at 22:00 and end at 04:00 am. Non-essential establishments must close at 21:00 so that their employees can make it home before curfew. Alcohol can be sold for on-site and off-site consumption.