February 1 local time, South African President Ramaphosa issued a national televised speech saying that the peak of the second outbreak in South Africa has passed, and three-level prevention and control is still implemented cautiously and optimistically, but the relevant control measures have begun to be relaxed.
Recently, the number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Africa has dropped rapidly, from more than 20,000 on January 9 to less than 3,000 on February 1.
Ramaphosa said that the peak of the second outbreak in South Africa has passed, and the original control measures will be appropriately relaxed, but three-level prevention and control measures will still be implemented (the highest level five, step by step).
Among them, the curfew was shortened to 23:00 to 4 o’clock; the closure time of restaurants and other business premises was extended to 22:00; religious activities were allowed, with 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors; and alcoholic beverages were allowed to be sold until 18:00 on Monday to Thursday.
Ramaphosa stressed that although the pandemic has improved and South Africa has begun to vaccinate health personnel against the novel coronavirus, it should not be taken lightly and to prevent a third outbreak.
