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President Cyril Ramaphosa warned of growing ‘pandemic fatigue’ across the country and the possibility of a second resurgence of the coronavirus in South Africa.
Despite this, he announced further easing of the current Level 1 lockdown in a national address on Wednesday night (November 11).
The president said that many countries are experiencing a second coronavirus wave that has hit harder than the initial wave.
“As South Africans, we have weathered what we expected to be the worst of the storm,” Ramaphosa said. He said that after peaking at 12,000 new cases per day in July, daily cases have stabilized at about 2,000 cases per day.
“While the coronavirus has decreased in cases in the last two months, we must recognize that this pandemic has had a great impact on the health and well-being of our people,” he said.
“If we want to prevent a resurgence of the infection, there are some areas that we need to pay attention to.”
Despite these concerns, Ramaphosa said the government will ease some restrictions, including the hours that liquor stores can sell alcohol.
“Even as restrictions on the sale of alcohol are further lifted, we are aware that excessive alcohol consumption is an obstacle in our fight against the coronavirus. It is vital that South Africans act responsibly to ensure that we do not see an increase in alcohol-related incidents, ”he said.
Despite restrictions on the sale of alcohol being further lifted, we are aware that excessive alcohol consumption is an obstacle in our fight against the coronavirus. It is vital that South Africans act responsibly to ensure that we do not see an increase in alcohol-related incidents. pic.twitter.com/vhm76igRFb
– Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 11, 2020
The president said the country will reopen international travel to all countries subject to health and safety regulations, and a certificate of authorization.
“As restrictions on international travel are removed, it is more important than ever that travelers follow all security protocols to protect their health and minimize the risk of acquiring Covid-19,” he said.
As restrictions on international travel are removed, it is more important than ever for travelers to follow all safety protocols to protect their health and minimize the risk of acquiring COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/mv3M9L7uQb
– Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 11, 2020
Hot spots
Ramaphosa said he is particularly concerned about the situation in the Eastern Cape, which has seen a resurgence of cases in recent weeks.
The president said the resurgence is being driven by massive increases in the Nelson Mandela Bay area and other metropolises. He said evidence shows that the outbreaks could have been fueled by universities, schools and large concentrations.
Ramaphosa said he is concerned that this increase in cases could spread further in the country as people also travel to and from the Eastern Cape, particularly the Western Cape areas.
The government, he said, will implement a resurgence plan, developed in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) to deal with this resurgence.
He said the government will also extend the national state of disaster for one more month until December 15, 2020.
Festive season
The president said he is also concerned about the upcoming holiday season and activities that could lead to a resurgence of cases. He specifically drew attention to the movement between provinces, the increase in social gatherings and social drinking.
He stressed that South Africans should continue to wear masks and social distancing, no matter how uncomfortable it may be, as not doing so could lead to a return to a higher level of confinement and more restrictions.
“I am increasingly concerned and alarmed by what I have seen on social networks and even on television, where people have large parties, meetings and social events as if the virus did not exist.
“The same rules that applied in the first days of the confinement should apply now. And now that we are in summer it is much easier to find ourselves outdoors or in rooms with open windows ”.
This echoes the concerns of the Chairman of the Covid-19 Ministerial Advisory Committee, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, who said that people are letting their guard down and not wearing masks, a phenomenon that is not unique to South Africa as the The whole world is facing ‘pandemic fatigue’. .
Karim said this fatigue, combined with increased movement, drinking and partying during the December holidays, is cause for concern.
“We are heading into a December period that carries many risks. We’re hoping we can get through it simply by making sure we’re more vigilant and controlling the prospects for super spreader events.
“If we can do that, we can get through December with just a small increase. Because if we don’t, we are facing the possibility of a second increase. “
Vaccine
Ramaphosa praised the news that the pharmaceutical company Pfizer has been successful in developing a coronavirus vaccine and its implications for fighting the pandemic.
He said South Africa is collaborating with several multinational companies to provide a safe and effective vaccine for citizens and has joined various international task forces to ensure that access to a vaccine is available throughout Africa.
The president also praised the announcement that local pharmaceutical company Aspen has reached an agreement with Johnson & Johnson for the development of a vaccine in the country.
“In recognition of our country’s manufacturing capabilities, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, Johnson & Johnson, has signed an agreement with a local company, Aspen Pharmacare, to manufacture and package its candidate vaccine.
“Aspen has the capacity to manufacture 300 million doses of the candidate vaccine at its Nelson Mandela Bay facility. This is a medical product that will save lives and will be needed around the world, which will be manufactured by South African workers, ”said the president.
Read: Government Covid-19 Advisor on Bringing South Africa to a Tougher Lockdown
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