South Africa to reopen casinos and cinemas despite COVID-19 spread

FILE PHOTO: People cross a normally busy, but now largely empty, Adderley Street during the 21-day nationwide lockdown aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in central Cape Town, South Africa April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa will allow casinos and cinemas to reopen and restaurants to resume sit-down meals on Monday in a further easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions despite a sharp rise in infections.

The country began easing restrictions put in place in March last month and at the beginning of June allowed people outside for work, worship, exercise or shopping, and let mines and factories to run at full capacity to try to revive the economy.