The new regulations for the Disaster Management Act gazetted on Wednesday has stipulated those who spread fake news about the coronavirus can be fined or serve a six month prison sentence.

The regulations have also warned a similar sentence for someone who intentionally exposes someone to the disease.

The regulations, signed by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, concern all government departments and their responsibilities to curb the spread of Covid-19.All bars, shebeens and some restaurants must close at 18:00 under strict new state rules.

As part of the Disaster Management Act, government has just introduced strict new measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. On Sunday, president Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster.

With immediate effect, all establishments – including bars, clubs, shebeens and restaurants – that sell liquor must close at 18:00 on weekdays and Saturdays, and at 13:00 on Sundays and public holidays.The transport industry could be the source of a wider spread of the coronavirus, the Western Cape MEC for Transport, Bonginkosi Madikizela, has warned, saying immediate action was necessary to curb any potential catastrophe.

This comes as Western Cape government officials visited the Cape Town bus terminus and airport on Wednesday to ensure enough is being done to minimise the spread of Covid-19.

Madikizela said: “the transport industry will be the hardest hit, if we don’t do something immediately”.