As you know by now, President Ramaphosa’s announcement on 23 April that the country is moving to a graded alert system to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

In short, the levels will be as follows:

  • Level 5: Drastic measures are in place
  • Level 4: Some activity allowed.
  • Level 3: Easing of some restrictions on work and social activities.
  • Level 2: Further easing of restrictions but maintaining social distancing.
  • Level 1: Normal activities can resume with caution.

Additionally, from 1 May 2020 the restrictions will be downgraded from Level 5 to Level 4 and the question arises, what implications this downgrade will have for residents living in Sectional Title Complexes. While regulations may change from day to day, we wish to highlight the following:

  1. A curfew will be in place from 20h00 to 05h00 each day.
  2. Wearing of cloth face masks will be mandatory when moving out of residence. (also applicable in respect of common property but not in respect of common property/exclusive use gardens.
  3. No public or social gatherings. (no parties with visitors or neighbours – the Trustees have received a complaint from an owner in this regard).
  4. Exercise will be limited (eg. jogging) with public gyms remaining closed.
  5. Food delivering will be allowed subject to the curfew.

Full Disaster Management Act: Regulations: Alert level 4 during Coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown:
https://www.gov.za/documents/disaster-management-act-regulations-29-apr-2020-0000

Fines for breaking Alert level 4 Regulations:
https://www.scribd.com/document/460448003/Tshwane-Fines-7-May-2020#from_embed

Movement of persons

16. (1) Every person is confined to his or her place of residence.
(2) A person may only leave their place of residence to–
(a) perform an essential or permitted service, as allowed in Alert Level 4;
(b) go to work where a permit which corresponds with Form 2 of Annexure A, has been issued;
(c) buy permitted goods;
(d) obtain services that are allowed to operate as set out in Table 1 to the Regulations;
(e) move children, as allowed;
(f) walk, run or cycle between the hours of 06H00 to 09H00, within a five kilometre radius of their place of residence; Provided that this is not done in organised groups(3) Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 20H00 until 05H00 daily, except where a person has been granted a permit to perform an essential or permitted service as listed in Annexure D, or is attending to a security or medical emergency.

The following will only be allowed at Level 3:

  1. Garden service and pool contracting.
  2. Commercial real estate.
  3. Recycling.
  4. Walking, jogging and cycling.
  5. Curfew still in place.
  6. Public gatherings are still prohibited.

The return to work of household employment will be allowed at Level 2 but the curfew will remain in place and gatherings still prohibited.

Please keep in mind that some residents will be returning to work and that schools will be reopening in May and that there will consequently be more movement on common property.

Although it is understood that schools will provide the first two masks and sanitizers at school parents are advised to obtain extra masks of the correct make and size for the kids and in the meantime, seek for your convenience, small containers for sanitizers which kids can use regularly while at school.

The audited financial statements can be obtained from Ryno Admin on request should you need them for financial purposes.

Remember to keep your distance and stay safe.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Regards,
The Trustees
Vista Body Corporate