In a media briefing on Friday, Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, announced the permitted travel regulations for Level 4 of the nationwide lockdown.
The following regulations were announced:
ROAD-BASED TRANSPORT
- All public transport services which include minibus taxis, buses, metered taxis, e-hailing services, charter and shuttle services, will be allowed to operate between 05:00 and 19:00 daily
- Minibus taxis are only allowed to load passengers up to 70% of their licensed capacity and must ensure that they travel with a mask
- E-hailing and metered taxi services are allowed to load 50% of their capacity
- Buses will be allowed to load 70% of its capacity
- Shuttle and Chauffeur services will only be allowed to load essential workers, or those permitted to work under Level 4, at a 70% capacity
- Some companies who have shifts finishing after the curfew will be allowed to make use of charter services at a loading capacity of 50%
- Delivery services will be permitted to operate between 9:00 and 19:00
Travel between Provinces, Metros and Districts is not allowed except for workers who have to travel, for the attendance of funerals and transporting mortal remains. There will be a concession period between 1 May and 7 May to allow people to travel to their homes in other provinces if they were not home by the start of the lockdown. Long-distance bus and taxi services may operate during this period at a 70% passenger capacity.
Driving schools are permitted to operate given that sanitation measures are put in place and that a face mask is worn.
Drivers Licence Testing Centres and Vehicle Testing Centres will start opening from 1 June. They will be opened gradually to allow for essential workers to renew their licences.
Emergency Vehicle Service and Roadside Assistance will be allowed to assist with towing, vehicle breakdowns, repairs and servicing vehicles.
RAIL
Freight rail will resume completely, whereas commuter rail will gradually resume based on plans by operators.
The Gautrain will be running but will exclude its airport service. It will operate between 05:00 and 12:00 then again between 15:00 and 20:00 to allow for operating staff to travel. The maintenance staff will be permitted to operate during 22:00 and 04:00.
PRASA will only resume once Level 3 of lockdown starts. Metrorail will not operate until the risk of transmission is manageable.
AVIATION
The mining and agricultural sectors will be allowed to access aircrafts for the transportation of essential workers or to spray pesticides on crops. This will be subjected to permits that will be issued on a case-to-case basis.
Domestic and international flights are still not allowed, however some South Africans who are currently stuck in a different country will be allowed to come back. There will also be flights for foreigners who need to be repatriated.
MARITIME
The ban on passenger vessels and cruise liners continues during Level 4. However vessels bringing in cargo, as well as the transportation of the cargo to warehouses will be allowed.
Mbalula requested that the public adheres to these measures so that human life can be preserved.
