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President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce that South Africa will move to lockdown level 1 in the near future when he addresses the nation next week.
There was no significant change in the infection rate going from level 3 to level 2, reporting the possible change to level 1.
Ramaphosa said the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is evaluating a number of proposals around further relaxation of lockdown restrictions.
One of the requests he received was from religious leaders, specifically to increase the number of people who can attend the meetings.
The president said the NCCC is also considering applications from the sports fraternity, the entertainment industry, hotels and tourism.
“We are considering all of that while we make an assessment of where the infection rate is. We will be able to consider all these proposals and receive advice, ”he said.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has also said that South Africa will have to move to a level 1 lockdown and return to “normal activities” as part of its economic recovery.
The minister added that it was too early to provide a date on when the country could move to level 1, but confirmed that the government was discussing the issue.
“The president will come out in the next few days and he will give us a sense of direction, but we will be preparing for people to start moving to the next level,” Mkhize said.
What lock level 1 can look like
The government previously explained that “Alert Level 1” indicates a low spread of COVID-19 with high preparedness of the health system.
At level 1 “most normal activities can be resumed, following health precautions and guidelines at all times.”
The government has not elaborated on what lockdown level 1 will look like, but the current restrictions and comments from ministers shed some light on what to expect.
One of the main changes expected at level 1 is the opening of the country’s borders and allowing international travel.
Yesterday, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said International travel will open “very soon.”
He said that many other countries are beginning to open international travel, which is guiding the government’s decision on the matter.
While international travel is expected to open, it is likely restricted to countries that do not pose significant risk.
The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, in turn, has been leading discussions on protocols to reopen the country’s events industry.
This follows proposals to allow larger events to take place with social distancing measures in place.
Some restrictions on international sporting events and spectators attending sporting events are also expected to be eased.
Exclusions related to educational services in schools and universities are also being discussed, and some changes are expected.
While many restrictions will be eased, health protocols such as mask use, social distancing, and disinfection are expected to remain in place.
Older people and people with comorbidities will continue to be encouraged to stay home and take extra precautions when leaving home.
Summary of alert levels
Now Read: International Travel Will Open “Very Soon” – Minister
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