Prognosis
South Africa Eases Virus Curbs After Third Infection Wave Ends
- Alcohol sales to be allowed during normal trading hours
- Country has had 2.9 million confirmed coronavirus cases so far
Shoppers cross a street in the central business district of Pretoria, South Africa, on Sept. 14.
Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa relaxed coronavirus restrictions after infections abated and inoculations increased, scrapping almost all curbs on alcohol sales and easing limits on the size of public gatherings.
The move to virus alert level 1 from level 2 will help shore up an economy that’s grappling with record-high unemployment and bruised investor confidence. It will also make it easier for political parties to campaign for municipal elections scheduled for Nov. 1.