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The government has announced that the state of disaster will last until November 15, suggesting that the blockade will not end until at least then.
Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma briefs the nation on regulations under lockdown level 1, which will take effect at midnight on Sunday, September 20, 2020., Image: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG – The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has extended the national state of disaster for a month.
The cabinet declared a state of disaster on May 15 this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic here at home.
Movement was restricted in the country, and most people were only allowed to move for essential purposes under level five of the government-imposed blockade.
Since then, South Africa has recorded more than 694,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 18,000 people have succumbed to the virus, with a recovery rate of 90%.
Minister Dlamini-Zuma said the cabinet had approved the extension of the national state of disaster until November 15 in accordance with existing legislation and contingency arrangements related to the pandemic.
The cabinet has decided to further extend the national state of disaster for one month. This period will allow the government a progressive and responsible return to normalcy. It will help us take steps to avoid a second wave of infections. pic.twitter.com/a9CoXijwTq
– Dr. Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) October 14, 2020
South Africans have been locked up for more than 200 days since the first case was reported in March.
Movement restrictions have been significantly lowered as COVID-19 infection rates steadily declined, but also to allow economic activity to continue.
The country’s economy was severely affected during the hard blockade due to most of the restricted movements.
Current level 1 lockdown regulations remain in place, but Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned the country not to be complacent as a second wave could still hit.
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