Doing business in South Africa is gradually taking shape again as the country has re-opened its airspace, in new regulation, for flight activities to start. However, by the terms of the new regulations, from Monday June 1, only strictly business travels are permitted. From June 1, Africa’s most industrialized economy will also allow most economic sectors, including mining and manufacturing, to resume full activity and has also allowed the sale of alcohol.
“As the country moves to level 3, with more industries resuming operations, with learners returning to school, the transport sector must be responsive to allow mobility of workers and learners,” said the minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula during a TV briefing.
“In doing so, we must maintain a delicate balance between allowing mobility and stopping the spread of the virus.”
Here Is What You Need To Know
- Under the new regulations, the resumption of domestic flights will take place in three phases, with only four airports allowed to be opened in the first phase, he added.
- However, a key focus at level 3 is still to restrict the spread of the coronavirus in the country, thus most social facilities and activities remain prohibited.
Some of the main changes include:
- Alcohol can now be sold at specific times;
- Restaurants can open their drive-thrus and for collections;
- The national curfew has been lifted;
- Exercise times have been extend to all daylight hours;
- People can start attending churches, schools and learning institutions, with limits.
Gatherings of people are still prohibited, however — meaning no leisure travel, no attending sport events, and no going out to sit at restaurants, cinemas, theatres, or even vising friends and family for social engagements.
South Africa is doing its lockdown in phases, and from June 1, 2020, the whole of the country will substantially move to Level 3.
South Africa had in the middle of May, 2020 allowed its citizens to buy or sell anything online except cigarettes and booze, as the country’s lockdown entered Alert Level 4. By the terms of the regulations, the range of items e-commerce sites in South Africa may sell are no longer placed under any limit. However, owners of the sites must comply entirely with the terms of the new regulations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The new directions took effect immediately.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer