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The cabinet of President Cyril Ramaphosa approved the extension of South Africa’s state of national disaster until October 15, 2020.
The government declared a national state of disaster under Section 27 (1) and Section 27 (2) of the Disaster Management Act on March 15, 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Although the state of disaster originally expired on June 15, the law establishes that the minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) can extend it for a month before it expires.
An official directive confirming the extension has yet to be released by Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
“The cabinet welcomes the drop in the number of new confirmed Covid-19 cases in recent weeks and the improved recovery rate that has risen to 87%,” it said in a statement on Thursday (September 10).
He said the number of people requiring admission to hospitals and the demand for Covid-19 testing have also decreased.
Let’s build on the momentum of this encouraging news and continue to work together to consistently do the right things, like practicing social distancing, wearing a mask when in public, and washing our hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand. disinfectant “.
South Africa reported 2,007 new cases on Thursday, bringing the total reported cases to 644,438. Deaths rose to 15,265, after an increase of 97 deaths in 24 hours, while recoveries have increased to 573,003, leaving the country with a balance of 56,170 active cases.
Global Covid-19 infections have reached 27.9 million confirmed cases, with the death toll reaching 904,000.
Level 1 lock?
The extension of South Africa’s state of disaster comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is evaluating a number of proposals around further relaxation of lockdown restrictions.
The president told the National Publishers Forum of South Africa on Wednesday evening (September 9) that one of the requests he received was from religious leaders, specifically about expanding the number of people who can attend meetings.
The president said the NCCC is also considering applications from the sports fraternity, entertainment, hospitality and tourism.
“We are considering all of that while we make an assessment of where the infection rate is. We can consider all these proposals and receive advice.
“This is where we will need the advice of the Medical Advisory Committee, as well as our Natjoints, which is the real monitoring engine for our approach to coronavirus. So we will be considering all of that. “
Ramaphosa indicated that he will continue to address the nation next week on a variety of topics. “Look at this space next week (in terms of) where we will end up as a nation in this regard,” he said.
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says South Africa will have to move to a level 1 lockdown and return to “normal activities” as part of its economic recovery.
The minister said it was too early to provide a date on when the country could move into a level 1 lockdown, but confirmed that the government was currently discussing the issue.
“The president will come out in the next few days and will give us a sense of direction, but we will be preparing for people to start moving to the next level. When that is announced, of course, we will move to that level, but it has yet to be decided. “
Read: What are the chances of another rate cut in South Africa next week?
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