7 New Lockdown Rules

Government has announced directives relating to industries that have opened in Level 4 of the Covid-19 lockdown. Here is an overview of the changes announced.

1. Curfew Rules

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula published six separate directives, clarifying a number of key issues relating to public and private travel

The new directives state that South Africans will have a one hour grace period in the evenings.

• Intra-provincial, metropolitan areas and district public transport is permitted to operate between 5h00 – 20h00, with a grace period of one hour which to complete the journey and drop off at 21h00
• Intra-provincial, metropolitan areas and district private transport is permitted to operate between 5h00 – 20h00, with a grace period of one hour which to complete the journey and drop off at 21h00

2. Licencing Rules

• Mbalula extended the grace period for South African motorists with expired documentation
• All learner, driving, motor vehicle licence disks, temporary permits and roadworthy certificates that expired during lockdown has been extended with 30 days from 4 May 2020

3. Tax Collection Rules

• The South African Revenue Services (SARS) published a new directive which states that tax officials may return to work as part of the financial service sector.
• The directive confirms that tax practitioners and other providers that offer these services can operate as normal.
• SARS officials also indicated that they will be returning to the office on 5 May.

4. Rules regarding IT Workers

• The regulations outline strict mitigation measures which will have to be followed before work is allowed to resume
• This includes cloth facemasks which are required for all workers.
• Perspex dividers, spacing requirements and strict cleaning regimes.

5. Rules regarding the courts

• The directive restricts access to the courts to people who have a material interest in a case.
• The directives also allows for the postponement on criminal cases in certain circumstances
• Small claims court matters and civil matters not considered urgent ,will not be heard during level 4.

6. Rules regarding artists and performers

• Performing arts institutions or playhouses may livestream without audiences
• Film and Television productions using local cast, living legends and crew are allowed under strict conditions
• Production and commercial entertainment, should add storylines in support of Covid-19 measures.

7. Rules regarding televisions quotas

• The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa published a new gazette which relaxes regulations for certain broadcasters.
• The biggest change is that SABC will not have to follow quotas around local content
• Broadcasters have also been exempted from some programming and requirements.

Source: Business Tech