Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa who addressed the nation on 24 May, 2020 has announced that the country will move from level 4 alert to level 3 alert of lockdown.

He said that the current coronavirus pandemic will get worst in his country.

According to Cyril Ramaphosa, from June 1, 2020 some lockdown measures would be eased.

South Africa has recorded more than 22,000 cases with outbreak fast spreading across communities and even in impoverished areas.

Announcing impending easing of lockdown restrictions he said “We should expect that these numbers will rise even further and even faster.”

“The coronavirus pandemic in South Africa is going to get much worse before it gets better,” he added.

South Africans though from June 1 will see an overnight curfew no longer in place while more businesses will be allowed to open.

Schools will also re-start, according to Ramaphosa who added that a controversial ban on alcohol will also end.

“Announcements in this regard will be made once we have concluded discussions with the sector on the various conditions,” the president said.

However there would be limited sales of alcohol allowed for home consumption only but a ban on the sale of cigarettes will remain.

“The sale of tobacco products will remain prohibited in alert level 3 due to the health risks associated with smoking,” the president said in his address.

President Cyril Ramaphosa also said all gatherings would remain prohibited, except for funerals with no more than 50 people or meetings in the workplace for work purposes.

“Any place open to the public where cultural, sporting, entertainment, recreational, exhibitional, organisational or similar activities may take place will remain closed,” he said.