The Ministry of Sports, Artis and Culture, manned by Minister Nathi Mthethwa, issued a directive for the reopening of cinemas, theatres, museums and other arts and culture spaces.
Covid-19 in South Africa: What are the latest stats?
South Africa still suffers from escalating coronavirus (Covid-19) infections, four months after the deadly pathogen first breached our shores.
Based on figures released by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), total Covid-19 infections — in the last 24 hours — soured to 287 624 with 93 casualties, taking the death toll to 4 172.
The National Covid-19 Command Council (NCCC), headed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has reacted to the surge in infections by replacing the ban on commercial liquor sales and reinstituted the night-time curfew.
Reopening of cinemas and museums in SA: Here’s everything we know
However, the show must go on and on Tuesday, Minister Mthethwa issued a statement which confirmed the gazetting of amendments which will essentially allow the cautionary reopening of cinemas, museums and other arts and culture spaces.
We took a closer look at the Government Gazette issue that was published on Monday 6 July 2020 and this is everything we’ve surmised from it.
The following places will be reopened:
- libraries;
- archives;
- museums; and
- cinemas (as well as art galleries)
The reopening of these gathering spaces will be subjected to “strict health protocols and social distancing.”
These are the 10 most important rules:
- Premises must limit operating hours to coincide with current curfew hours which start at 21:00 and end the next morning at 04:00
- Sufficient hand sanitisers must be made available
- Social distancing between audiences, visitors and staff must be upheld wherever possible, Minimum space between people should be 1.5 meters (arm’s length)
- Wearing a cloth mask at all times by all, when entering and inside the place or premises whenever possible, is mandatory.
- Masks may only be removed while eating or drinking.
- Businesses must use contactless payments and pre-booking where possible and staff members must use sanitizer after the exchange of cash.
- Premises must be decontaminated before opening, and before and after use.
- There can be no more than 50 people, excluding staff members, in a single venue, at a time.
- Common areas-toilets, door handles and shared equipment must be regularly cleaned and sanitised frequently; throughout the day.
- Every person entering the place or premises must be subjected to temperature screening.
More information concerning the dates of reopening will be communicated at a later stage.