[ad_1]
The rapid rise in coronavirus cases in South Africa and the emergence of a second wave means the country could see national lockdown restrictions reintroduced earlier than expected, says Stellenbosch’s Bureau of Economic Research (BER).
In an investigative note on Monday (December 14), the BER said that, given the increase in cases and the declaration of a second official wave of Covid-19 in the country, the probability of an early reimposition of some blocking measures nationwide it has increased. now increased.
“While we were concerned about the possibility of a second wave leading to tighter restrictions sometime in the fall of 2021, the probability of an earlier re-imposition of some lockdown measures at the national level has now increased,” he said.
“Hopefully, stricter adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions can quell the recent spike in cases, as a return to stricter restrictions on mobility and economic activity (nationwide) would be a significant setback to economic recovery. which started in the third quarter of 2020. “
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 8:00 p.m. Monday night, with reports from the executive indicating that localized restrictions are likely to be introduced.
The speech follows meetings with the National Coronavirus Command Council and provincial governments as the country battles the impact of a second wave of coronavirus.
A member of the Ramaphosa executive told the City press that the entire country is unlikely to return to a hard lockdown like the one experienced earlier this year.
Instead, higher restrictions will be put in place at a localized level in the country’s coronavirus hot spot areas. It is not yet clear whether national restrictions will be introduced.
Vaccine developments
One silver lining amid South Africa’s grim Covid-19 numbers are developments around a Covid-19 vaccine, with both the United States and the United Kingdom having approved a vaccine for public use in the last week.
However, there are doubts about how a vaccine will be purchased and distributed in South Africa.
“While the latest developments in vaccine development are very positive for the prospects for global growth in the second half of next year, it remains to be seen how South Africa will approach the procurement and ultimately the distribution of vaccines,” said the BER.
In this sense, the information currently available does not guarantee an update of our forecast for 2021, he said.
“If anything, the latest virus developments and a smaller technical rebound given that the 2020 GDP drop will be less than expected before, puts a downside risk on the 2021 growth figure.
South Africa reported 7,999 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday (December 14), bringing the total reported to 860,964.
Deaths have reached 23,276 (a daily increase of 170), while recoveries have risen to 761,011, leaving the country with a balance of 76,677 active cases.
Read: Medical Expert Warns of Rising Number of Hospitals Ahead of Ramaphosa’s Covid-19 Speech
[ad_2]
