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The Department of Communication and the Government’s Communication Information Services have summarized its communication strategies on the coronavirus in South Africa and the provision of accurate information.
In a parliamentary presentation, Acting Communications Minister Jackson Mthembu acknowledged that while presidents of other countries communicate with their citizens at regular intervals, Ramaphosa communicates to the public less frequently.
“Other presidents may appear in public at regular intervals, but ours speaks to us when necessary, when he gives general guidelines; when important announcements are made to govern the various regulations that are expected at various levels of blocking, “he said.
On Monday (May 11), Ramaphosa said South Africa will focus on increasing screening, testing and its case management program as it enters its peak period of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
Writing on his weekly letter To the public, the president said that while there is still much about the pandemic that is unknown, “experts now agree that the virus will remain a threat to global public health for some time. Therefore, we must be prepared to continue living with the coronavirus among us for a year or even more, ”he said.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that people have been frustrated with restricting their personal freedom.
“At the same time, health experts around the world are warning of a ‘second wave’ of infections as public life resumes. Several countries, including Germany, Iran, and China, have seen an increase in new infections since they relaxed certain restrictions.
“We will not be different. We can and should expect infections to increase as more people return to work. We must accept reality, prepare and adapt to it, “stressed the President.
Transparency around smoking and cigarettes.
Several MPs also asked Mthembu about transparency regarding the continued ban on tobacco and alcohol.
They noted that this needs to be explained in detail to remove apparent inconsistencies in how they are currently handled.
However, Mthembu said the government was clear in its decision to ban alcohol and smoking.
“Tobacco attacks the respiratory organs. If we allow it to be available for sale, we would not be doing justice to the campaign to combat this respiratory pandemic. Its current ban is based on health reasons. “
On alcohol, he replied, “In most cases, people don’t like to drink alone, but with friends. If we allow the sale of alcohol, we would also be defeating our fight against the pandemic.”
He reminded South Africans that “we sell cigarettes and alcohol under normal circumstances, but we are in an abnormal situation and we cannot act as if everything continues as usual.”
Mthembu added that the heart of the fight against the pandemic is a change in behavior.
“We can do our best to communicate all the precautionary rules and regulations in the fight against it, but what is critical now is that we need a change in behavior to win the war against the pandemic, now and later.
“When you think we are not doing what we should do, tell us we will accept it. We can only learn from your collective wisdom.
Read: The next phase of our national response to the coronavirus: Ramaphosa
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