This is the latest version of this Government Notice.
South Africa
Disaster Management Act, 2002
Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19
Government Notice R480 of 2020
- Published in Government Gazette no. 43258 on 29 April 2020
- Assented to on 29 April 2020
- Commenced on 29 April 2020
- [Up to date as at 2 April 2021]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 608-B of 2020) on 1 June 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 714 of 2020) on 25 June 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 763 of 2020) on 12 July 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 846 of 2020) on 31 July 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 891-B of 2020) on 18 August 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 999 of 2020) on 21 September 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 1011 of 2020) on 21 September 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 1053 of 2020) on 1 October 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 1104 of 2020) on 22 October 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 1199 of 2020) on 12 November 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 1290 of 2020) on 4 December 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 1346 of 2020) on 15 December 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 1370 of 2020) on 17 December 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice 1421 of 2020) on 24 December 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice R1423 of 2020) on 29 December 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice R1435 of 2020) on 29 December 2020]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice R11 of 2021) on 11 January 2021]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice R69 of 2021) on 1 February 2021]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice R92 of 2021) on 13 February 2021]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice R93 of 2021) on 13 February 2021]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice R152 of 2021) on 28 February 2021]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice R284 of 2021) on 30 March 2021]
- [Amended by Disaster Management Act: Regulations relating to COVID-19: Amendment (Government Notice R284 of 2021) on 2 April 2021]
Chapter 1
Definitions and application
1. Definitions
In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise indicates—"adequate space" means not more than one person per one and a half metres of floor space;"Alert Level" means the determination made under subregulation 3(2);"beach" means the sandy, pebbly or rocky shore -(a)between the high-water mark and low-water mark adjacent to-(i)the sea, or(ii)an estuary mouth extending 1000 meters inland from the mouth; and(b)within 100 metres of the high -water mark, excluding private property, including the sea and estuary themselves adjacent to the beach.[definition of "beach" inserted by section 3(a) of Government Notice R11 of 2021]"clinical case" means a patient that presents with clinical signs and symptoms of COVID-19;"Constitution" means the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996;"COVID-19" means the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov2) which is an infectious disease caused by a virus that has previously not been scientifically identified in humans, which emerged during and was declared a global pandemic by the WHO in 2020;"Criminal Procedure Act" means the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977);"directions" means the directions contemplated in section 27(2) of the Act, issued by a Cabinet member relating to his or her line functions, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for cooperative governance and traditional affairs and justice and correctional services;"donor" means an individual, corporation or organisation that is a contributor of cash, kind and/or other assets;"enforcement officer" includes a member of the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force, metro police, traffic officers, immigration inspectors; and a peace officer as defined in section 1 of the Criminal Procedure Act;"essential goods for import" means the goods listed in Annexure B;"essential services" means the services listed in Annexure D;"estuary" means an estuary as defined in section 1 of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008);[definition of "estuary" inserted by section 3(b) of Government Notice R11 of 2021]"face mask" means a cloth face mask or a homemade item that covers the nose and mouth, or another appropriate item to cover the nose and mouth;[definition of "face mask" inserted by section 4 of Government Notice 891-B of 2020]"gathering" means any assembly, concourse or procession in or on—(a)any public road, as defined in the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996); or(b)any other building, place or premises, including wholly or partly in the open air, and including, but not limited to, any premises or place used for any sporting, entertainment, funeral, recreational, religious, or cultural purposes; but excludes a workplace and a place of residence for those persons ordinarily residing at the residence;"health protocols" means the COVID-19 health protocols determined by the Director General of Health;"head of an institution" means the accounting officer of a public institution and the chief executive officer or the equivalent of a chief executive officer of a private institution;"hotspot" means a geographical area or cluster of geographical areas;[definition of "hotspot" inserted by section 3 of Government Notice 608-B of 2020]"institution" means any public or private institution, including a sole practitioner and any other business owned and operated by a single person, that is engaged in the supply or distribution of a good or service as set out in the Table 1, or which regulates such supply or distribution, including professional regulatory bodies designated in directions made in terms of regulation 4 of the Regulations;"institutions of higher learning" means "higher education college" and "higher education institution" as defined in section 1 of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997);"isolation" means separating a sick individual with a contagious disease from healthy individuals that are not infected with such disease in a manner that aims to prevent the spreading of infection or contamination;"laboratory confirmed case" means a patient who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 by means of a laboratory diagnostic method approved by the Department of Health;"liquor" means—(a)any liquor product, as defined in section 1 of the Liquor Products Act, 1989 (Act No. 60 of 1989);(b)beer or traditional African beer; or(c)any other substance or drink declared to be liquor under the Liquor Act, 2003 (Act No. 59 of 2003), but does not include methylated spirits;"lockdown" means the period between 23H59 on 26 March 2020, until 23H59 on 30 April 2020;"movement" means entering or leaving a place of residence or, in the case of people not ordinarily resident in the Republic, their place of temporary residence while in the Republic;"national state of disaster" means the national state of disaster declared by Government Notice No. R. 313 of 15 March 2020;"permitted goods" means Part E in the Table 1;"permitted goods for export" means the goods listed in Annexure C;"permitted services" means the services permitted in Table 1;"quarantine" means the restriction of activities or separation of a person, who was or may potentially have been exposed, to COVID-19 and who could potentially spread the disease to other non-exposed persons, to prevent the possible spread of infection or contamination to healthy individuals;"school" means a school as defined in section 1 of the South African Schools Act, 1984 (Act No. 84 of 1996);"the Act" means the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002); and"WHO" means the World Health Organisation.2. Repeal and transitional provisions
3. Determination of Alert Level
Chapter 2
General provisions applicable during national state of disaster
4. Authority to issue directions
5. General measures to contain the spread of COVID-19
6. Refusal of medical examination, prophylaxis, treatment, isolation and quarantine
7. Isolation or quarantine of persons
8. COVID-19 Database
[heading substituted by section 2(a) of Government Notice 714 of 2020]9. Release of resources
10. Shelters and sites identified by the State during national state of disaster
11. Emergency procurement procedures
Emergency procurement for institutions is subject to—(a)the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), and the applicable emergency provisions in the Regulations or Instructions made under section 76 of that Act; and(b)the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003), and the applicable emergency provisions in the Regulations made under that Act.12. Powers and indemnity
These Regulations do not limit any powers or indemnities of security services provided for in any law.13. Resolution of disputes
14. Offences and penalties
Chapter 3
Alert Level 4
15. Determination of Alert Level
16. Movement of persons
17. Movement of children
18. Attendance of funerals
19. Prohibition on evictions
A competent court may grant an order for the eviction of any person from land or a home in terms of the provisions of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act 62 of 1997 and the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998: Provided that any order of eviction shall be stayed and suspended until the last day Alert Level 4, unless a court decides that it is not just and equitable to stay and suspend the order until the last day of the Alert Level 4 period.20. Public transport
21. Closure of borders
All borders of the Republic remain closed during the period of Alert Level 4, except for ports of entry designated by the Cabinet member responsible for home affairs and for the transportation of fuel, cargo and goods during the period of Alert Level 4.22. Transportation of cargo
23. Gatherings
24. Places and premises closed to the public
25. Controlled visits by members of the public
All visits by members of the public to—(a)Correctional Centres;(b)Remand Detention Facilities;(c)Police Holding Cells;(d)Military Detention Facilities;(e)Health establishments and facilities, except to receive treatment or medication in accordance with health protocols; and(f)Facilities controlled or managed by the Department of Social Development, including Child and Youth Care Centres, shelters, One Stop Centres, and Treatment Centres,will be allowed to the extent and in the manner as directed by the Cabinet member responsible for cooperative governance and traditional affairs after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for health, police and justice and correctional services.26. Sale, dispensing or transportation of liquor
27. Tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related products
The sale of tobacco, tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related products is prohibited.28. Operation of economic sectors
29. Energy and petroleum products supply
To ensure the continuous supply of energy and petroleum products to society as referred to in Table 1—(a)collieries that supply Eskom may continue to operate at full capacity; and(b)refineries and other facilities providing energy and fuel may operate at full capacity to avoid shortage of fuel and energy, and such operations may include fuel storage, smelters, plants and furnaces.30. Mining operations
31. Offences and penalties
Chapter 4
Adjusted Alert Level 3
32. Application of Alert Level
The regulations set out in this Chapter apply -(a)during Adjusted Alert Level 3 throughout the Republic; and(b)in areas declared as hotspots.[regulation 32 substituted by section 3 of Government Notice R69 of 2021]33. Movement of persons
33A. Opening and closing of schools
The Cabinet member responsible for basic education may by direction contemplated in regulation 4(3), determine the dates on which schools may be opened or closed, as defined in the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No.84 of 1996) and any matter related to the management of schools in the basic education sector, to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in all schools.[regulation 33A inserted by section 5 of Government Notice R69 of 2021]34. Mandatory protocols when in a public place
35. Attendance of funerals
36. Gatherings
37. Eviction and demolition of places of residence
38. Rental housing
39. Places and premises closed to the public
40. Initiation practice
41. Controlled visits by members of the public
All visits by members of the public to-(a)correctional centres;(b)remand detention facilities;(c)police holding cells;(d)military detention facilities;(e)health establishments and facilities, except to receive treatment or medication, subject to strict adherence to health protocols; and(f)older persons' residential facilities,are prohibited except to the extent and in the manner directed by the relevant Cabinet member.42. Partial re-opening of borders
42A. Transportation of cargo
43. Public transport
44. Sale, dispensing, distribution and transportation of liquor
45. Operation of economic sector
46. Compliance officers
47. Offences and penalties
48. ***
[Chapter 4 added by section 5 of Government Notice 608-B of 2020, amended by sections 3(a), 3(b), 4, 5(a) and 5(b) of Government Notice 714 of 2020, by sections 5, 6, 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), 8, 9, 10 and 11 of Government Notice 763 of 2020, by sections 2, 3, 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 5 of Government Notice 846 of 2020, by sections 2(a) and 2(b) of Government Notice R1435 of 2020 and substituted by section 3 of Government Notice R1423 of 2020 and by section 4 of Government Notice R11 of 2021]Chapter 5
Alert Level 2
[Regulations come into operation at 00H01 on 18 August 2020 by section 7 of Government Notice 891-B of 2020]49. Application of Alert Level
The regulations set out in this Chapter apply during Alert Level 2.50. Movement of persons
Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 22H00 until 04H00 daily, except where a person has been granted a permit, which corresponds with Form 2 of Annexure A, to perform a service other than a service related to an activity listed under Table 3, or is attending to a security or medical emergency.51. Mandatory protocols when in a public place
A person-(a)must when in a public place, wear a face mask; and(b)may not be allowed to be in a public place, use any form of public transport, or enter a public building, place or premises, if that person is not wearing a face mask.52. Attendance of funerals
53. Eviction and demolition of places of residence
54. Rental housing
55. Gatherings
56. Places and premises closed to the public
57. Prohibition of initiation practices
58. Controlled visits by members of the public
All visits by members of the public to—(a)correctional centres;(b)remand detention facilities;(c)police holding cells;(d)military detention facilities;(e)health establishments and facilities, except to receive treatment or medication, subject to strict adherence to health protocols; and(f)older persons’ residential facilities,are prohibited except to the extent and in the manner directed by the relevant Cabinet member.59. Closure of borders
60. Public transport
61. Sale, dispensing or transportation of liquor
62. Operation of economic sector
63. Compliance officers
64. Offences and penalties
Chapter 6
Alert Level 1
65. Application of Alert Level
The regulations set out in this Chapter apply during Alert Level 1.66. Notification by district municipalities
All district municipalities must, after consultation with its local municipalities in its area–(a)alert communities within that district of the increasing number of infections that could lead to that district being declared a hotspot;(b)publish on their websites and in the local media, areas with high infection rates within the district; and(c)update the information as and when it becomes available.67. Compliance officers
68. Movement of persons
69. Opening and closure of schools
The Cabinet member responsible for basic education may by direction contemplated in regulation 4(3), determine the dates on which schools may be opened or closed, as defined in the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996) and any matter related to the management of schools in the basic education sector, to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in all schools.70. Mandatory protocols when in a public place
71. Attendance of funerals
72. Gatherings
73. Eviction and demolition of places of residence
74. Rental housing
75. Places and premises closed to the public
76. Initiation practices
77. Controlled visits by members of the public
78. Partial re-opening of borders
79. Transportation of cargo
80. Public transport
80A. Definition and application
81. Sale, dispensing and transportation of liquor
82. Operation of economic sector
83. Offences and penalties
Chapter 7
***
[Chapter 7 added by section 4 of Government Notice 1290 of 2020, amended by section 12(a), 12(b), 12(c), 12(d) and 12(e) of Government Notice 1346 of 2020, by sections 5 and 7 of Government Notice 1370 of 2020, by section 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 4(d), 4(e) and 4(f) of Government Notice R1423 of 2020, by section 3(a) and 3(b) of Government Notice R1423 of 2020, substituted by section 5 of Government Notice R11 of 2021 and deleted by section 11 of Government Notice R69 of 2021]84. ***
85. ***
86. ***
87. ***
- Entire Government Notice
- Preface
- Chapter 1 – Definitions and application
-
Chapter 2 – General provisions applicable during national state of disaster
- 4. Authority to issue directions
- 5. General measures to contain the spread of COVID-19
- 6. Refusal of medical examination, prophylaxis, treatment, isolation and quarantine
- 7. Isolation or quarantine of persons
- 8. COVID-19 Database
- 9. Release of resources
- 10. Shelters and sites identified by the State during national state of disaster
- 11. Emergency procurement procedures
- 12. Powers and indemnity
- 13. Resolution of disputes
- 14. Offences and penalties
-
Chapter 3 – Alert Level 4
- 15. Determination of Alert Level
- 16. Movement of persons
- 17. Movement of children
- 18. Attendance of funerals
- 19. Prohibition on evictions
- 20. Public transport
- 21. Closure of borders
- 22. Transportation of cargo
- 23. Gatherings
- 24. Places and premises closed to the public
- 25. Controlled visits by members of the public
- 26. Sale, dispensing or transportation of liquor
- 27. Tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related products
- 28. Operation of economic sectors
- 29. Energy and petroleum products supply
- 30. Mining operations
- 31. Offences and penalties
-
Chapter 4 – Adjusted Alert Level 3
- 32. Application of Alert Level
- 33. Movement of persons
- 33A. Opening and closing of schools
- 34. Mandatory protocols when in a public place
- 35. Attendance of funerals
- 36. Gatherings
- 37. Eviction and demolition of places of residence
- 38. Rental housing
- 39. Places and premises closed to the public
- 40. Initiation practice
- 41. Controlled visits by members of the public
- 42. Partial re-opening of borders
- 42A. Transportation of cargo
- 43. Public transport
- 44. Sale, dispensing, distribution and transportation of liquor
- 45. Operation of economic sector
- 46. Compliance officers
- 47. Offences and penalties
- 48. ***
-
Chapter 5 – Alert Level 2
- 49. Application of Alert Level
- 50. Movement of persons
- 51. Mandatory protocols when in a public place
- 52. Attendance of funerals
- 53. Eviction and demolition of places of residence
- 54. Rental housing
- 55. Gatherings
- 56. Places and premises closed to the public
- 57. Prohibition of initiation practices
- 58. Controlled visits by members of the public
- 59. Closure of borders
- 60. Public transport
- 61. Sale, dispensing or transportation of liquor
- 62. Operation of economic sector
- 63. Compliance officers
- 64. Offences and penalties
-
Chapter 6 – Alert Level 1
- 65. Application of Alert Level
- 66. Notification by district municipalities
- 67. Compliance officers
- 68. Movement of persons
- 69. Opening and closure of schools
- 70. Mandatory protocols when in a public place
- 71. Attendance of funerals
- 72. Gatherings
- 73. Eviction and demolition of places of residence
- 74. Rental housing
- 75. Places and premises closed to the public
- 76. Initiation practices
- 77. Controlled visits by members of the public
- 78. Partial re-opening of borders
- 79. Transportation of cargo
- 80. Public transport
- 80A. Definition and application
- 81. Sale, dispensing and transportation of liquor
- 82. Operation of economic sector
- 83. Offences and penalties
- Chapter 7 – ***
History of this Government Notice
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29 April 2020
Assented to by council.Published in Government Gazette no. 43258Government Notice commences.Read this version
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