The Government Gazette today published the final regulations governing the Corona Virus Lockdown in South Africa, commencing at midnight tonight. Transport arrangements and types of businesses deemed to be Essential Services and which may continue to operate have been announced, with stringent rules.

Businesses/persons classed as Essential Services that may continue providing products and services are the following: 

 

.   Medical and health

.   Disaster Management

.   Financial services 

.   ‘Grocery stores’ and Spaza shops 

.    Electricity and water supply and maintenance 

.    Essential Municipal services 

.    Care services to older people 

.    Funeral services

.    Animal care

.    Newspaper and broadcasting services 

.    Refuse removal and cleaning services 

.    Legal services related to Courts 

.    SARS

.    Police, traffic police.

.    Postal and courier services 

.    Security companies 

.    Air Traffic services 

.    Mining of gold 

.    Accommodation for persons rendering essential services 

.    Transport for persons rendering essential services 

.    Members of Parliament and Councillors 

.    Transport services to supply health and food to outlets. 

 

Transport arrangements are allowed and regulated as follows:

Transport for essential staff and patient movement governs this measures:
– all long distance passenger rail services will stop.
– ROVOS Rail, Blue Train etc will close
– all commuter rail services will close – MetroRail and Gautrain
– ALL international and domestic flights are prohibited.
– Only essential air cargo will be allowed – cargo from high risk countries will be sanitised
-Ban on cruise ships at all Sea ports.
– 8 Sea Points will accept cargo
– mini bus taxis will be allowed to transport essential services workers only. Must be sanitised after every trips and ranks sanitised regularly
– Operators to put measures in place to ensure social distancing
– meter taxis and e-hailing taxis will be allowed to transport essential services workers only. Must be sanitised after each journey. Each vehicle may only carry 1 person if a normal sedan. XL Ubers can load a maximum of 3 passengers.
– bus operations will only be allowed for essential services.
– Transport movements daily from 05:00 – 09:00 and again from 16:00 – 20:00. NOT OUTSIDE OF THOSE TIMES
– all cross board passenger movement is closed
– vehicle and driving licensing testing centres will close. If your license expires it will be automatically carried over till after the lockdown
– skeleton staff to do maintenance and traffic enforcement

No dog walking or jogging is allowed outside of one’s home, but one can walk to the supermarket.

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein