Coronavirus: South Africa releases lockdown as ‘outbreak reaches peak’

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Reuters

The president of South Africa has said that coronavirus infections in the country seem to have reached the goal, as he announced a huge relaxation of lockdown measures.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said almost all restrictions on the country’s economy would be lifted from Monday.

A controversial ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco is lifted.

Domestic travel, small family gatherings and the reopening of businesses will all be allowed.

In a TV address on Saturday, Mr Ramaphosa said lowering restrictions would help revive the country’s flagged economy after a period of great hardship for the country.

However, he did not call on South Africans to leave their guard against Covid-19 despite “signs of hope”, warning of difficult times ahead.

The country has recorded more than half of Africa’s coronavirus infections, with to date more than 570,000 cases and 11,500 deaths.

South Africa also has the fifth-highest number of cases in the world after the US, Brazil, Russia and India, but infections have begun to dip in recent days.

Mr Ramaphosa said the number of new daily confirmed cases had dropped from a peak of more than 12,000 to an average of 5,000 in the past week.

The number of active cases has decreased to approximately 105,000 and the recovery time up to 80%, the president said.

“Looking back over the past five months, all indications are that South Africa has reached its peak and moved above the inflection point of the curve,” Mr Ramaphosa said.

How did South Africa treat its coronavirus outbreak?

In March, the South African government introduced some of the toughest restrictions on lockdown in the world. Borders were closed to international travelers, schools were closed, alcohol was banned and people were told to stay home.

These measures were credited with delaying the initial release of Covid-19, giving the healthcare sector valuable time to prepare for more patients.

Meanwhile, the economy is fluttering as companies struggle to stay afloat during lockdown.

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To reduce the economic pain, the government began a slow opening in June, but restrictions were reintroduced last month as infection rates began to rise again. A state of emergency was declared effective until August 15.

A large proportion of South Africa’s coronavirus infections have been reported in Gauteng, the country’s financial hub.

The influx of patients has put an incredible strain on South African hospitals. A BBC investigation found a variety of systematic failures that health care professionals had and the health service in some areas brought nearby.

A great moment for South Africa

This is a great moment for South Africa.

President Ramaphosa spoke of a new phase, and signs of hope, through his government’s response to the pandemic.

And he has a point. The official death toll here is 11,000. But a rapid, aggressive response has enabled most hospitals and provinces to contain an outbreak that many feared would overwhelm the nation.

However, the economic price has been devastating. President Ramaphosa spoke of hearts and hunger for millions, warning that it would take years to rebuild the economy.

There are still major concerns about a second wave of infections, which, Mr Ramphosa warned, could be worse than the first.

But many South Africans – still sporting face masks in public – will be trusted to lose the lockdown.

What lockdown restrictions have been lifted?

Mr Ramaphosa said that from midnight on August 17, South Africa would move to level two of its five-state coronavirus alarm system.

“The move to level two means that we can remove almost all restrictions on the recovery of economic activity in most industries,” said Mr Ramaphosa.

Mr Ramaphosa said his government would end the ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco.

Sales of alcohol were banned to reduce pressure on hospitals, and tobacco products were restricted because of the risk of spreading Covid-19 through cigarette sharing. The restrictions were not popular, with bar and restaurant owners protesting against the ban on selling alcohol.

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Mr Ramaphosa said travel between provinces would now be allowed, but restrictions on international arrivals would remain in place.

He said other restrictions will also remain in place, including a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people and crowds at sporting events.