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Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize says government officials are currently discussing the decision to move South Africa to a higher level of lockdown.
In an interview with the SABC, Mkhize said that decisions will be based on the recommendations of epidemiology experts, as well as companies and members of the civil sector.
He said there have been recommendations to introduce a stricter lockdown as part of an evidence-based consultation process.
However, he noted that the government has also received a request from the religious sector to allow more church attendance during the Easter weekend.
“This is a sensitive period where there is vulnerability and the possibility of risk that we may have a super broadcast event, with all the festivities and activities that accompany the long weekend of Easter.
“So the warning was for a temporary increase in restrictions during this time period,” he said.
He added that the government has to take into account that we must discourage super-spreader events during Easter weekend, we should avoid interprovincial movement which could lead to the spread of the virus.
However, he noted that South Africans have largely learned their lessons over the past year on issues such as wearing masks and social distancing, indicating that the government may not have to be too strict with the shutdown.
The epidemiologist, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, said that if it were up to him, he would also move the country to at least level 2 lockdown as a precaution.
“I don’t know if we will have a third wave after Easter. But I don’t want to wait to find out. I’d rather take precautions and reduce our chances of a third wave, ”he said. TimesLive.
Talking to helpMinisterial Advisory Committee (MAC) chair professor Barry Schoub said there has been a notice from the committee that more stringent lockdown restrictions be put in place, temporarily, during the “sensitive” period of Easter.
“During this period… there is a vulnerability, a possibility, a risk that we may see super spreader events at all the festivities and activities that take place over the weekend. So the warning was for a temporary increase in restrictions during this time period, ”he said.
The professor said it’s probably just for Easter weekend and maybe a “little bit more of that,” if the advice is taken.
Read: Why South Africa’s Covid-19 Vaccine ‘Rollout’ Has Hit a Cap
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