President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that levels of restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 will, going forward, be determined based on the risk of each province, district and metro in the country.
The president’s move means that as government eases regulations of coronavirus, some provinces hardest hit by the virus could have most of their strict measures lifted much later after May 1, when the government starts to ease some of the restrictions to breathe life into the country’s ailing economy.
Ramaphosa, addressing the nation for the second time this week, said from May 1 there was going to be a gradual and phased opening of economic activity.
Government had classified different parts of the economy according to their risk of transmission of the disease, the impact lockdown was having on them and their contribution to the economy.
Different industry bodies would be given an opportunity to comment on the new regulations before they are gazetted, Ramaphosa said.
Ministers are expected to give details on which sectors would resume activity after further consultations.
“From the evidence we have, we know that 75 percent of confirmed coronavirus cases are found in just six metro municipalities – Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Cape Town, Buffalo City, eThekwini and Mangaung,” he said.
His comments came as the country recorded the highest number of daily infections today, rising by 318 to 3953 in total. Ten new deaths related to the virus were recorded today, taking the total to 75.
The Western Cape has overtaken Gauteng as the new epicentre of the virus – and has recorded more deaths – with 1279 cases, followed by Gauteng with 1252.
Most of the regulations – imposed on March 15 after the declaration of the state of disaster- aimed at ensuring social distancing to slowdown the spread of the coronavirus have remained in place.
These include:
– borders remaining closed to international travel, except for the repatriation of South African nationals and foreign citizens.
– no travel allowed between provinces, except for the transportation of goods and exceptional circumstances such as funerals.
– public transport continuing to operate with limitations on the number of passengers and stringent hygiene requirements, including that all passengers must wear a face mask.
– the public continuing stay at home, other than for essential personal movement, doing essential work and work in sectors that are under controlled opening.
– all gatherings, apart from funerals and for work, will remain prohibited.
Ramaphosa said the lockdown had given the country time to prepare the health system for the “inevitable increase in infections.”
“While a nation-wide lockdown is probably the most effective means to contain the spread of the coronavirus, it cannot be sustained indefinitely,” he said.
“Our people need to eat. They need to earn a living. Companies need to be able to produce and to trade, they need to generate revenue and keep their employees in employment,” he added. – By George Matlala
