S.Africa to allow domestic air travel for business from June 1

South Africa will allow domestic air travel for business purposes only from June 1 as the country further eases coronavirus lockdown regulations, the transport minister said on Saturday. The country has been largely shut since a nationwide lockdown began in late March. South Africa has reported 29,240 cases of the new coronavirus, with 611 deaths.

From next month, Africa's most industrialised economy will allow most economic sectors including mining and manufacturing to fully resume operations and has also allowed the sale of alcohol but for home consumption. "As the country moves to level 3, with more industries resuming operations, learners returning to school, the transport sector must be responsive to enable mobility of both workers and learners," Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula said in a televised briefing.

"In doing so, we must maintain a delicate balance between enabling mobility and arresting the spread of the virus." The resumption of domestic flights will be rolled out in three phases, with only four airports allowed to be opened under phase one, he added.

Separately, in an earlier briefing, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said professional teams and individual athletes who participate in contact and non-contact sport, including rugby and football can start training from Monday under strict social distancing rules. He said it was important for all training to resume so that athletes could stay in shape for when contact sports resume matches.

The regulations will also allow professional non-contact sports to host sports events without spectators. The minister has yet to publish the regulations, which will name the permitted sporting codes. "This is the news sport has been waiting to hear as it allows us to begin to ramp up preparations for an eventual return-to-play," said South Africa Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux in a statement.

Rugby announced the suspension of all matches and training on March 18.

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