Government has enforced new measures, including an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of alcohol, in response to the surge in coronavirus infections and deaths.
President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement on Sunday night but said that the country would remain on level three lockdown.
Government has also reintroduced a curfew between 9pm and 4am.
President Ramaphosa said that the new measures were being enforced following callous behaviour by some South Africans despite the imposed restrictions and the need to avail medical facilities for COVID-19 cases.
“It is concerning that many are downplaying the seriousness of the virus, despite all evidence to the contrary and what we have cautioned on numerous occasions.”
Hospitals across the country have been recording an increase in trauma-related cases which had dropped by 65% during the hard lockdown when the sale of alcohol was banned.
After a public showdown with the taxi industry, government has backed down, allowing taxis doing local trips to increase loading capacity to 100% if they open windows and everyone wears a mask. Only taxis doing long-distance travel are limited to 70% capacity.
