South Africa returns to tighter COVID restrictions as cases surge

Nightly curfew extended, limit on gatherings and alcohol sales as COVID-related hospital admissions also increase.

South Africa has returned to tighter restrictions on public gatherings and liquor sales as the country sees a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations. President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that the new infections threaten the health systems in several parts of the country and COVID-related hospital admissions have increased 59 percent over the past two weeks. The nightly curfew has been extended by an hour from 10pm to 4am while religious gatherings indoors are limited to 50 people.