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The National Coronavirus Command Council has lifted the ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products under alert level 2, said President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address to the nation on Saturday night.

After I heard that, I was good to go, and didn’t really pay much attention to the rest.

If you were also too preoccupied with a happy dance around the living room to make a note of what we can and can’t do from tomorrow, it’s a good idea to take in a refresher.

The restrictions will only be eased at midnight, tonight, so don’t take time out of your day to stand outside a closed liquor store or tobacconist.

This also isn’t a free pass to go back to business as usual, both socially and at work. The first directive on the SA Government COVID-19 Resources website is that all sanitation protocols must be maintained, and followed at all times.

So, yes, ‘mask washing day’ is still a firm part of your weekly routine.

On to how things will work going forward.

First, the National State of Disaster is still a thing:

Image: South African National Government/Twitter

Despite the panic on social media from those who can’t be bothered to do basic research, extending the state of disaster is necessary so that alert levels may be implemented going forward.

Here’s what will be permitted under alert level 2:

Image: South African National Government/Twitter

Image: South African National Government/Twitter

Image: South African National Government/Twitter

Gyms are required to supply government with a health and safety report outlining their preventative measures before they can open their doors.

Image: South African National Government/ Twitter

Yes, social visits are now allowed, although government has stressed that this is not an invitation to host a house party. Keep it tidy.

Over to the restrictions that will remain in place during alert level 2:

Image: South African National Government/Twitter

Image: South African National Government/Twitter

Government plans on doing the following to prevent a second spike in COVID-19 cases:

Image: South African National Government/Twitter

While there is much to celebrate here, keep in mind that whenever restrictions are eased, the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases increases. If we want to stay at alert level 2, we have to do whatever we can to keep infection rates down.

So, yeah, have a few mates over for a drink, if that’s your vibe. Just keep it small, wear masks when you aren’t smashing a brewski, and physically distance while you catch up.

We still have a long way to go before we beat this pandemic.

[source:covid19resources]