As of midnight on 20 September 2020, South Africa moved to Alert Level (AL) 1 of the national state of disaster under amended regulations promulgated in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 (the AL1 Regulations).
AL1 sees a further reopening of the economy, with minimal restrictions on movement of persons and focus on compliance with health protocols. In his address to the nation on 16 September 2020, President Ramaphosa noted that the shift from AL2 to AL1 is the result of further decreased rates of COVID-19 infections and increased recovery rates, but urged South Africans to ensure, through their conduct, that the country is not struck by a second wave of infections, as many other countries have experienced.
The Regulations pertaining to AL2 already provided for significant economic reopening and relaxation of previous restrictions. In this way, the AL1 Regulations continue the process initiated under AL2, with some notable exceptions. This note focuses on the significant changes between AL2 and AL1.
Read more: B4SA guidance note 210920