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President Cyril Ramaphosa has shed light on what the country’s new reality will look like when the closure continues beyond the end of April, albeit in a different format.
South Africans entered the prison at midnight on March 26 to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was expected to end on April 16, however, Ramaphosa announced a few days before its completion that it would last for another two weeks.
The lock in its current form is expected to end on April 30.
FULL SPEECH | Ramaphosa announces a slow return to normality
During his speech to the nation on Thursday night, Ramaphosa announced that beyond the end of April, a risk-adjusted strategy would be implemented to ease current blocking restrictions.
Five-phase approach
As part of this approach, the different levels will determine the constraints:
– Level 5 means that drastic measures are required to contain the spread of the virus to save lives.
– Level 4 means that some activity can be resumed, subject to the extreme precautions required to limit community transmission and outbreaks.
– Level 3 implies the reduction of some restrictions, including work and social activities, to address a high risk of transmission.
– Level 2 implies greater relaxation of restrictions, but the maintenance of physical distance and restrictions in some leisure and social activities to avoid a resurgence of the virus.
– Level 1 means that the most normal activity can be resumed, with precautions and health guidelines followed at all times.
READ: Covid-19: Ramaphosa Warns of End of Abrupt Closure, Announces Gradual Tightening of Restrictions Effective May 1
“To ensure that our response to the pandemic is as accurate and specific as possible, there will be a national level and separate levels for each province, district and metro in the country,” said Ramaphosa.
“We are currently at level 5, which requires a full national block to contain the spread of the virus.
“The National Coronavirus Command Council will determine the level of alert based on an assessment of the infection rate and the ability of our health system to provide care to those who need it.”
Level 4
The president announced that as of May 1, the country would go to level 4.
This is what level 4 currently looks like:
– The borders will remain closed to international travel, except for the repatriation of South African citizens and foreign citizens.
– Travel between provinces will not be allowed, except for the transport of merchandise and exceptional circumstances, such as funerals.
– All meetings, apart from funerals and for work, will remain prohibited.
– Some companies may resume operations under specific conditions. (These sectors have not yet been announced.)
– The public is encouraged to stay home, except for essential personal movement, do essential work, and work in sectors that are under controlled openings.
– The elderly and people with underlying conditions should stay home and take extra precautions to isolate themselves.
– People can exercise under strict public health conditions. (These conditions have not yet been announced.)
– The sale of cigarettes will be allowed.
– Public transportation will continue to operate, with limitations on the number of passengers and strict hygiene requirements, including that all passengers must wear face masks.
– The range of products that can be sold will be expanded to incorporate certain additional categories. (These must be detailed by the corresponding ministers).
Restrictions
However, Ramaphosa did announce that various restrictions would be maintained regardless of alert level as long as the risk of transmission exists.
These restrictions include:
– Bars and shebeens will remain closed.
– Conference and convention centers, entertainment venues, cinemas, theaters and concerts will remain closed.
– Concerts, sporting events, and religious, cultural, and social gatherings will not be allowed until it is deemed safe to continue.
READ: Our people need to eat, they need to earn a living – Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa added that as the government gradually eased the restrictions, many of the measures to contain the spread of the virus needed to remain in place.
“Ultimately, it is our own actions, as individuals, that will determine how fast the virus spreads.”
“If we all adhere to the instructions and follow the public health guidelines, we will keep the virus under control and we will not need to re-establish the most drastic restrictions,” he said.
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