The City of Cape Town on Monday urged all residents to continue wearing their masks, washing their hands and practising social distancing as the city and the rest of South Africa adjust to life under the more lenient level 2 of the national Covid-19 lockdown.

Executive mayor of Cape Town Dan Plato said: “Now more than ever, we cannot relax our vigilance around adhering to Covid-19 protocols. All our efforts are focused on rebuilding the economy and enabling businesses to reopen and continue operating in line with the regulations. Our residents have a big role to play in our continued path to economic recovery over the coming weeks and months to prevent a new surge in infections.”

Plato said that as more people returned to work and children returned to school and early-childhood development centres, it was important that the public be aware of whom to turn to should they have concerns about health protocols.

He said the city was committed to ensuring that businesses can reopen safely while safeguarding residents from exposure to the coronavirus.

“But it requires a collective effort. This is not the time to let our guard down and become Covid complacent.

“We appeal to business owners or organisations that are likely to see an increase in footfall through their premises to ensure that they have all of the necessary protocols in place specific to their situation,” said Plato.