South Africa tightens restrictions amid surging COVID cases

South Africa has once again announced tighter restrictions to tackle the rise in coronavirus infections due to a new, faster-spreading variant.

Among other restrictions announced late Monday, indoor and outdoor gatherings will be banned and a curfew will be enforced from 9 p.m. (7:00 p.m. GMT) to 6:00 a.m. (04:00 GMT).

Only licensed workers, including medical and security personnel or emergency personnel, may travel during curfew.

“From now on, it is compulsory for everyone to wear a mask in a public space. A person who does not wear a cloth mask covering the nose and mouth in a public place will commit an offense, ”President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised speech.

“Upon conviction, they will be liable to a fine or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both a fine and imprisonment.

Ramaphosa also announced that non-essential establishments, including shops, restaurants, bars and all cultural venues, are to close at 8:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. GMT), while the sale of alcohol in retail outlets and alcohol consumption on site will not be permitted. .

The new rules will last 14 days and they could be revised in the coming weeks if they see a sustained drop in infections and hospitalizations, he added.

The South African Department of Health reported a grim milestone of one million infections on Sunday – the highest figure on the continent.

So far, the new virus has killed more than 27,000 people in South Africa.

The drastic restrictions were imposed after authorities confirmed that a new variant of the coronavirus was discovered circulating in the country.

Called 501.V2, the new strain was discovered by a team of scientists from across South Africa who followed the genetics of the virus.

The variant appears to be concentrated in the south and southeast of the country and dominates the results of samples collected since October.

“It was the doctors and health workers who called for these restrictions,” said Haru Mutasa of Al Jazeera, reporting from Port Elizabeth, which has now become the country’s coronavirus hotspot.

“They were saying they weren’t really surprised by the rise in infections, what surprised them was how quickly it happened,” she added.

The epidemic in Africa’s worst-affected country appears to be accelerating, breaking the million mark nine days after the country reported 900,000 cases.

Several hospitals and medical centers have reported that their wards are overflowing with coronavirus patients and many healthcare workers are canceling vacations to cope with the huge influx.

According to Mutasa, people did not abide by basic restrictions, traveling across the country, visiting friends and family without wearing masks or practicing social distancing.

“In the province of Eastern Cape […] people tell you they had up to seven people in the family who died from COVID. You hear stories of people who attended the funeral and got sick, ”she said.