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President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation following a surge in COVID-19 cases in parts of South Africa.
Many experts believe it will announce regional restrictions on the sale of alcohol and a slightly longer curfew.
News24 reported that the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) has agreed on some interventions for hotspots:
- The curfew should be from 22:00 to 04:00.
- Alcohol sales must be limited to Monday through Thursday.
- Pubs, taverns and restaurants must close at 21:00.
- Alcohol consumption should be prohibited in public areas such as beaches and parks.
- Public gatherings should be limited to 100 people indoors and 250 people outdoors.
These restrictions are likely to be focused on areas where COVID-19 cases have skyrocketed in recent weeks, particularly in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
Western Cape Prime Minister Alan Winde recently said is deeply concerned about the increasing number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in the province.
This growth is mainly driven by two districts in the Western Cape: Garden Route and Cape Metro.
“My biggest concern is our health platform, which is under increasing pressure. We need to make sure that each person receives medical care when they need it, ”Winde said.
A similar situation is developing in the Eastern Cape, prompting Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to visit medical facilities in the province to assess their readiness for the surge in cases.
Nelson Mandela Bay is one of the coronavirus hot spots in the province, prompting the Eastern Cape Health Department to launch a new subway testing and tracking program.
Ramaphosa to address the nation
ENCA reported that President Ramaphosa is expected to “call a family reunion tonight.”
Speaking to ENCA, health economics expert Professor Alex van den Heever predicted regional restrictions to slow the spread of the virus.
He said these restrictions are necessary because complacency has developed in certain regions and is becoming widespread.
“We should see very localized restrictions targeting any form of mass gathering that is indoors and where people don’t wear masks for long periods of time,” he said.
He said that these restrictions will not have a great economic impact except for the effect on local businesses such as restaurants, taverns and pubs.
If Ramaphosa announces new regional restrictions, it will not be a surprise.
Mkhize previously said that they are discussing additional lockdown restrictions to control the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in areas like Nelson Mandela Bay.
“When we look at the numbers we do now, we need to start restricting the hours of movement, particularly at night,” he said.
“We also have to look at the numbers in the hospitals to see the impact of alcohol-induced pressure and start discussing issues about it.”
MyBroadband reached out to Presidential spokesman Tyrone Seale to confirm that Ramaphosa will address the nation, but said nothing has been confirmed.
“Announcements are usually only made when the president is ready to speak,” Seale said.
Interview with Professor Alex van den Heever
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