Table 1.

Level 1–5 epidemic alert in South Africa [32].

The alert level of the epidemic	Specific measures
Level 1	•Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 00H00 until 04H00 daily. •The wearing of a face mask is mandatory for every person when in a public place •Attendance of a funeral and cremation is limited to 100 persons or less. •A distance of at least one and a half metres from each other when in common spaces. •Social, political and cultural gatherings are permitted but limited to 750 persons or less for indoor venues and 2000 persons or less •Night clubs are closed to the public •Bus and taxi services may not carry more than 70% of the licensed capacity for long distance travel
Level 2	•Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 23H00 until 04H00 daily. •The wearing of a face mask is mandatory for every person when in a public place. •Attendance of a funeral and cremation is limited to 50 persons or less •A distance of at least one and a half metres from any other person •Social, political and cultural gatherings are permitted but limited to 250 persons or less for indoor venues and 500 persons or less for outdoor venues •Night clubs are closed to the public. •Bus and taxi services may not carry more than 70% of the licensed capacity for long distance travel
Level 3	•Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 22H00 until 04H00 daily •The wearing of a face mask is mandatory for every person •Attendance of a funeral and cremation is limited to 50 persons or less • A distance of at least one and a half metres from any other person •Social, political and cultural gatherings are permitted but limited to 50 persons or less for indoor venues and 100 persons or less for outdoor venues •Night clubs are closed to the public •Bus and taxi services may not carry more than 70% of the licensed capacity for long distance travel
Level 4	•Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 21H00 until 04H00 daily •Schools and institutions of higher education will be closed for contact classes •Attendance of a funeral and cremation is limited to 50 persons or less •All gatherings are prohibited
Level 5	•Lockdown •Every person is confined to his or her place of residence, unless strictly for the purpose of performing an essential service, obtaining an essential good or service, collecting a social grant, pension or seeking emergency, life-saving, or chronic medical attention •All commuter transport services including passenger rail services, bus services, taxi services, e-hailing services, maritime and air passenger transport are prohibited