Following the pronouncement by President Ramaphosa that the country would move to Alert Level 2 effective from 18 August 2020, allowing for more economic activity it was imperative that we revise our Directions in line with this determination.
We have reiterated on numerous occasions that we are mindful of the risk the sector poses in the spread of the pandemic. Despite the move to Alert Level 2, we must retain the same measure of vigilance in ensuring that the health protocols are strictly adhered to and the spread of the pandemic is arrested. If we are to succeed in our fight against the COVID-19 scourge, we must find a balance between increased mobility and responsible behaviour that does not enable the spread of the pandemic.
Public transport
In giving effect to the President’s pronouncement and subsequent gazetting of regulations by the Minister of Co-operative Governance, Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, we have amended our Directions to give effect to these regulations, subject to the following restrictions:
Inter-provincial travel is now permitted subject to restrictions on public transport vehicles. Mini-buses, midi-buses and buses are only permitted to carry a maximum of 70% of their licensed passenger-carrying capacity when undertaking long-distance travel. Long-distance is defined as any distance in excess of 200km irrespective of whether it crosses Provincial boundaries or not.
For the undertaking of short-distance public transport of 200km or less, buses, mini-buses, midi-buses, e-hailing services, metered taxis, shuttle service, chauffer driven vehicles and scholar transport vehicles are permitted to carry 100% of their maximum license passenger capacity.
Rail operations are permitted to carry a maximum of 70 % of their licensed passenger capacity. Long-distance passenger rail is now permitted to resume operations subject to the passenger capacity restriction.
In line with our commitment to maintain maximum compliance with health protocols, a driver, owner or operator of a public transport service may not allow any member of the public not wearing a face mask to board or be conveyed in a public transport owned or operated by him or her.
It is a strict requirement that at all times, the operators of public transport services should adhere to health protocols stipulated in the current regulations applicable to Alert Level 2.
AVIATION
Air travel is crucial to our efforts to gradually resume economic activity. In reopening our airspace, we have put protocols in place to determine the state of readiness for our airports to resume operations in a phased manner. This process is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority, who has done a splendid job in ensuring compliance with safety and health measures. Despite movement to alert level 2, we will continue on the same trajectory until every one of our airports meets the strict protocols.
We are happy to announce that in addition to the 14 airports already permitted to operate, 4 more airports have been given the green light to resume operations. These are:
1. Mthatha Airport in the Eastern Cape
2. Hoedspruit Airport in Limpopo
3. Phalaborwa Airport in Limpopo and
4. Margate Airport in KwaZulu-Natal
International air travel remains prohibited in Alert Level 2.
MARITIME
In line with the gradual easing of restrictions, foreign crew changes are permitted only at the Cape Town Port and at the Port of Durban, subject to compliance with the following conditions:
A request for crew changes must be completed by a shipping company or its representative on a prescribed form which must be submitted at least 96 hours prior to the crew changes to the Department of Transport.
The crew must comply with all the travel protocols of the port of entry where the crew changes will be undertaken.
Crew changes may take place at port and off port limit.
Signing-on crew may directly transit from the airport to the board the vessel, provided that, if a layover is necessary the crew must be quarantined as per the port health protocols, at the employer’s cost and the name of the quarantine facility must be specified in the form
Signing-off crew of a passenger vessel may directly transit to the airport.
Only in exceptional circumstance may the signing-on and signing-off crew be permitted to layover.
Cruise ships remain prohibited from calling at any of the South African ports except for the disembarkation of the returning.
a) South African crew, or
b) South African citizens or holders of permanent residence permits
We are encouraged by the levels of co-operation and compliance to our Directions by all South Africans and transport operators across all modes. Our ability to ensure safe mobility relies on this co-operation. We encourage our people to remain resilient and work with authorities in halting the spread of this pandemic.
1.UNITE BEHIND AND MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
I note today’s order by the Western Cape High Court. I await a full written judgment and would peruse same, apply my mind and make a pronouncement.
2. The Road Traffic Amendment Bill was introduced earlier in June this year (2020) in Parliament and introduces 0% alcohol level for all motorists.
Section 65 of the principal Act is hereby amended—
‘‘(2) No person shall on a public road—
(a) drive a vehicle; or
(b) occupy the driver’s seat of a motor vehicle the engine of which is running, while there is any concentration of alcohol in any specimen of blood taken from any part of his or her body [is not less than 0,05 gram 10 per 100 millilitres]
Research conducted by the RTMC in collaboration with the South African Medical Research Council and the University of South Africa shows that driver alcohol intoxication accounts for 27.1% of fatal crashes in the country. This is estimated to cost the economy R18.2 billion annually.
As indicated by this study and many observations including the recent death of TMPD officers, we need to strengthen the law and ensure that Innocent lives are saved.
Issued by:
Fikile Mbalula
MINISTER OF TRANSPORT