President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday evening announced government would implement a partial easing of the current Covid-19 lockdown rules from May 1. He said although a lockdown remained the most effective way to limit the spread of the virus, the economy would be at stake.
“We will implement a risk adjusted strategy to take a deliberate and cautious approach to ease lockdown restrictions. We have to balance the need to resume economic activity with the need to save lives. We have decided on this approach because there is still much that is unknown about the rate and manner of the spread of the virus within our population,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa outlined five levels plans to ease Covid-19 lockdown rules. According to him SA is currently at level five which requires a full national lockdown to contain the spread of the virus.
“This is the highest level of lockdown and was imposed when drastic action was necessary to curb transmission.
Level 5 means that drastic measures are required to contain the spread of the virus to save lives.
“Level 4 means that some activity can be allowed to resume subject to extreme precautions required to limit community transmission and outbreaks.
Level 3 involves the easing of some restrictions, including on work and social activities, to address a high risk of transmission”
“Level 2 involves the further easing of restrictions, but the maintenance of physical distancing and restrictions on some leisure and social activities to prevent a resurgence of the virus.
Level 1 means that most normal activity can resume, with precautions and health guidelines followed at all times”
The relevant Ministers will provide a detailed briefing on the classification of industries and how each is affected at each level.
“We will give all industry bodies an opportunity to consider these details and, should they wish, to make submissions before new regulations are gazetted”
He added that the will be a national level and separate levels for each province, district and metro in the country.
“We have undertaken a detailed exercise to classify the different parts of the economy according to the risk of transmission in that sector, the expected impact of the lockdown, the economic contribution of the sector and the effect on livelihoods”
Ramaphosa said some businesses would be allowed to resume operations under specific conditions. The return of the workforce will be no more than one-third per business.
He further said that relevant Ministers will provide details on the process for the phased re-opening of schools and other educational institutions. He also said that Several restrictions will still be enforced such as religious and social gatherings until it is deemed safe for them to continue.
“All gatherings, apart from funerals and for work, will remain prohibited. Sporting events, concerts, cinemas, bars and shebeens will also remain closed” said Ramaphosa.
