Western Cape roads are a lot busier, as South Africans are allowed to travel between provinces and municipalities this week to ensure they are able to go home or travel to the cities they work in, and stay there for the remainder of the lockdown period.
This once-off travel grace period stared on May 1 and will end May 7.
Speaking to News24, Western Cape MEC for Community Safety Albert Fritz said that while vehicles are still being checked for permits, they “are not really strict” during the grace period. There is no permit required for travel during the grace period, but other permits still apply, such as an essential services worker permit.
Several roadblocks have been set up across the Cape, and at a roadblock in Athlone on Tuesday, those with essential permits pressed their permits against their car windows for inspection.
“The majority of people who came through this roadblock had work permits,” said Fritz.
It is common for traffic to be funnelled by orange traffic cones at road blocks. Some cars are stopped, and others not.
There are several regulations for permitted travel and these include:
– Taxis and buses may not carry more than 70% of their maximum passenger-carrying capacity
– Operators must ensure all arm rests, window handles and doors are sanitised between trips and passengers must also be sanitised
– All passengers must wear masks
– Physical distancing measures must be employed while passengers are traveling in public transport vehicles
– Public transport is only permitted between 5am and 7pm, and all trips must be completed by 7pm
