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South Africa Tightens COVID Restrictions Ahead of Christmas Season

Anita Powell

   JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's president has announced a raft of new
   restrictions in a major city as the nation stares down a possible
   coronavirus resurgence.

   This has been a tough year for the nation with Africa's highest
   coronavirus burden, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged in a
   Thursday night speech.

   But now, as many South Africans plan to embark on a monthlong summer
   holiday, now is not the time for South Africa to let down its guard, he
   warned.

   "As we want to relax, this virus does not relax. And this virus does
   not take a holiday," he said. "This 2020 has been a difficult year for
   us as a nation and as a country. It has severely tested our resolve and
   demanded great sacrifices of each and every one of us. But even as the
   holidays approach, we cannot let our guard down. Unless we take
   personal responsibility for our health and the health of others, more
   people are going to become infected. More people are going to die."

   Nearly 22,000 South Africans have already died, he noted.

   To that end, he announced restrictions for one of the country's major
   metropoles, Nelson Mandela Bay. The coastal city, also known as Port
   Elizabeth, has recently seen a jump in confirmed cases.

   The city's one million residents now must observe a nighttime curfew
   and are restricted in both buying and consuming alcohol in public.
   Gatherings are now limited to 250 people for outdoor events and 100 for
   indoor events.

   He also said that countrywide, post-funeral gatherings -- which
   Ramaphosa referred to as "after-tears parties" -- are prohibited.

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