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President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is evaluating a number of proposals around further relaxation of lockdown restrictions in South Africa.
The president told the National Publishers Forum of South Africa on Wednesday evening (September 9) that one of the requests he received was from religious leaders, specifically about expanding the number of people who can attend meetings.
The president said the NCCC was also considering applications from the sports fraternity, entertainment, hospitality and tourism.
“We are considering all of that while we make an assessment of where the infection rate is. We can consider all these proposals and receive advice.
“This is where we will need the advice of the Medical Advisory Committee, as well as our Natjoints, which is the real monitoring engine for our approach to coronavirus. So we will be considering all of that. “
Ramaphosa indicated that he will continue to address the nation next week on a variety of topics. “Look at this space next week (in terms of) where we will end up as a nation in this regard,” he said.
Ramaphosa’s comments come after Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize said that South Africa will have to move to a level 1 lockdown and return to “normal activities” as part of its economic recovery.
in a radio interview on Wednesday (September 9), Mkhize said the country will still have to follow important measures around the meetings. However, he said it was necessary to reopen the economy even more and get people back to work.
The minister said it was too early to provide a date on when the country could move into a level 1 lockdown, but confirmed that the government was currently discussing the issue.
“The president will come out in the next few days and will give us a sense of direction, but we will be preparing for people to start moving to the next level. When that is announced, of course, we will move to that level, but it has yet to be decided. “
While the government has not given any indication as to what the level 1 lockdown would entail, there are still some segments of the economy that are still constrained under the current level 2 regulations.
These prohibitions include:
- International passenger air travel for leisure purposes;
- Passenger ships for international recreational purposes;
- Spectator attendance at any sporting event;
- International sporting events;
- Exclusions related to public transport services: refers to the fact that long distance public transport (buses and taxis) can only operate at 70% of its capacity;
- Exclusions regarding educational services: currently refers to grades that have not yet been returned and certain university classes.
Read: Ramaphosa responds to South Africa’s huge economic decline
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