President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to move the country to alert level four, banning the sale of alcohol immediately, in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections, sources told SowetanLIVE's sister publication TimesLIVE. 

“Alcohol banned for both off and on sales and transportation,” said a source close to the discussions taking place in the president's co-ordinating council currently under way.

TimesLIVE also understands that when the president delivers his address at 8pm on Sunday night, he will put in place a curfew restricting people to their homes between 9pm and 4am.  

All gatherings will be prohibited except funerals.

It is understood that restaurants will only be permitted to sell takeaways.

Parks and beaches will also be closed.

There will also be a travel ban to and from Gauteng for leisure.

Schools are set to be closed at a date determined by the minister of basic education.

Ramaphosa moved the country to alert level three two weeks ago following the increasing number of infections, particularly in the Gauteng province. 

The presidency on Sunday said Ramaphosa will address the nation on developments in the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The address follows meetings of the national coronavirus command council, the president’s co-ordinating council (PCC) and cabinet.

On Saturday, acting health minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed that an emergency meeting had been held on Saturday to discuss the rapid spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in SA. 

TimesLIVE