[ad_1]
South Africa’s Business for Ending Lockdown (B4EL) campaign has welcomed the country’s move to a Level 1 lockdown, but has expressed concern about “unnecessary and harmful restrictions” that continue to affect sectors of the economy.
“While lockdown level 1 is economically less restrictive than level 2, we believe that the remaining restrictions continue to damage key sectors of the economy and leave many companies unable to operate at their full potential or create desperately needed jobs,” said.
“This has negative repercussions on other sectors, whether or not they are allowed to operate fully.”
B4EL noted that the following restrictions were still in effect and remain problematic:
- Limitations on international travel – International travel remains restricted and comes with strict health regulations for travelers that will restrict business travel and tourism;
- Restricted sale of alcohol – Trade is still restricted on weekends, and sales are not allowed in stores on Saturdays or Sundays. The alcohol industry will be hampered by the restriction of weekend trade;
- Rules around meetings – Meetings and venues are still restricted to 50% capacity. The new rules also leave room for confusion, impose complex logistical restrictions, and continue to ban religious gatherings and entertainment services;
- Curfew – The curfew remains in effect from 00:00 to 04:00. B4EL Says Continuation of Curfew is ‘Arbitrary’, Restricts Freedom of Movement, and Bans Many Nightlife and Nightlife Services;
- State of disaster – The state of disaster remains and gives effect to many of the restrictions. This opens the possibility of new arbitrary political decisions, without the government indicating when the extensions will end.
Many of the regulations and restrictions are expected to be laid out in more detail in the coming days.
Track and trace application
In a national address on Wednesday night (September 16), Ramaphosa said that the government would also step up its contact tracing through the rollout of the Covid Alert South Africa mobile phone app and the Covid Connect WhatsApp platform.
“Effective contact tracing and testing systems will allow us to quickly identify and contain outbreaks before they spread further,” he said.
“I want to make a call tonight to everyone with a smartphone in South Africa to download the Covid Alert mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.”
Ramaphosa said that mobile networks have rated the app as zero, so you can download it without data costs.
“Using Bluetooth technology, the application will alert any user if they have been in close contact with any other user who has tested positive for coronavirus in the last 14 days.
“The application is completely anonymous, it does not collect personal information or track anyone’s location.”
Ramaphosa said the Health Department has also developed WhatsApp and SMS systems for people without smartphones to provide them with test results and alert them to any possible exposure to the virus.
“Contact tracing is an important preventive measure to protect yourself and your close family and friends,” he said.
Read: Flying International From South Africa – Here’s What To Expect
[ad_2]
