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Professor Salim Abdool Karim says South Africa should be able to ease a number of restrictions when the government announces a move towards a level 1 blockade.
Karim, who is the chair of the ministerial advisory committee on Covid-19, said 702 that the key issue will be to avoid the ‘super spread’ events that could trigger a second resurgence of coronavirus cases.
“In those environments, we have to have a situation where we reduce our risk of a super spread event. But issues like curfew and restrictions on alcohol have largely served their purpose.
“They were put in place to protect hospitals, we don’t have a problem with hospital space and beds at the moment so they are less critical at this point or not even necessary.”
Karim said the government may also consider opening international travel as there are key guidelines to reopen safely.
Speaking on the subject of sports and nightclubs and whether they could lead to ‘super recreation’ events, Karim said it was not a question of whether these places should open, but rather whether they can open safely for the country Do it. not going back to ‘starting point’.
“For example, there is no reason why restaurants are not open even if they carry risk, as long as we have certain restrictions on the number that may be, the distance that is maintained, etc.”
“We are now in the post-Covid ‘new normal’. People (shouldn’t think) that we’re going back to the old normal. And we will have to find a way to adapt to the new normal. “
Level 1 lock
South Africa could move to level 1 lockdown next week, when President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation as promised during a recent meeting with the South African National Publishers Forum (Sanef).
Quoting senior officials, who are aware of the meetings in the National Coronavirus Command Council, City press reported that the move to the lower lock level could occur within “next week or two”, with an announcement imminent.
According to officials, lockdown level 1 will see further easing of restrictions, although some measures will remain in place. The expected changes include:
- Adjusting the limits of gatherings, such as religious services, increasing instead to a percentage of capacity (that is, 50% of the capacity of a venue instead of 50 people);
- Open international borders, but only regionally to the rest of Africa;
- International travel to Europe and other destinations with a resurgence of Covid-19 infections are still considered high risk and re-importation of the virus is a concern;
- The protocols of social distancing, use of masks and hygiene will be maintained.
The government has received proposals and submissions from various sectors that remain under pressure due to the lockdown conditions, including the events industry, hotels and tourism, sports and religious groups.
Read: 4 New Lockout Changes For South Africa
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