Coronavirus alert levels to guide SA
Easing of lockdown restrictions will be informed by the five coronavirus alert levels
The easing of South Africa's lockdown restrictions will be done deliberately and cautiously, and will unfold through the implementation of a risk-adjusted strategy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa explained that this approach is necessary because there is still much that is unknown about the rate and manner of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) within the South Africa population.
“The action we take now must therefore be measured and incremental.
“This approach is guided by the advice from scientists who have advised that an abrupt and uncontrolled lifting of restrictions could cause a massive resurgence in infections,” he said.
The President cautioned that a rushed re-opening could risk a spread, which would need to be followed by another hard lockdown, as has happened in other countries.
“We have to balance the need to resume economic activity with the
imperative to contain the virus and save lives.
“To achieve this, we have developed an approach that determines the measures we should have in place based on the direction of the pandemic in our country.”
As part of this approach, there will be five coronavirus levels.
The five levels
Level Five means that drastic measures are required to contain the spread of the virus to save lives.
Level Four means some activity can be allowed to resume subject to extreme precautions required to limit community transmission and outbreaks.
Level Three involves the easing of some restrictions, including on work and social activities, to address a high risk of transmission.
Level Two 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 One means that most normal activity can resume, with precautions and health guidelines followed at all times.
“The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) will determine the alert level based on an assessment of the infection rate and the capacity of our health system to provide care to those who need it,” explained the President.
From the start of the national lockdown South Africa was at Level Five – the highest level of lockdown which was imposed when drastic action was necessary to curb transmission.
Following a decision by the NCCC, the national coronavirus alert level was lowered from Level Five to Level Four from 1 May.
Level Four unpacked
Under Level 4, borders remain closed to international travel, except for the repatriation of South African nationals and foreign citizens.
However, no travel is allowed between provinces, except for the transportation of goods and exceptional circumstances such as funerals.
During this period, public transport continues to operate, with limitations on the number of passengers and stringent hygiene requirements, including that all passengers must wear a face mask.
President Ramaphosa emphasised that during this period, the public is encouraged to stay at home, other than for essential personal movement, doing essential work and work in sectors that are under controlled opening.
The range of goods that may be sold will be extended to incorporate certain additional categories.
Restrictions remain in place in certain sectors regardless of the level of alert for as long as the risk of transmission is present.These include bars and shebeens, conference and convention centres, entertainment venues, cinemas, theatres and concerts.
Concerts, sporting events and religious, cultural and social gatherings will not be allowed until it is deemed safe for them to continue.
Under Level Four some activity is allowed to resume subject to extreme precautions to limit community transmission and outbreaks. Some businesses can also resume operations but under specific conditions.
“Every business will have to adhere to detailed health and safety protocols to protect their employees, and workplace plans will be put in place to enable disease surveillance and prevent the spread of infection.
“All businesses that are permitted to resume operations will be required to do so in a phased manner, first preparing the workplace for a return to operations, followed by the return of the workforce in batches of no more than one-third.”
In some cases, a sector may be able to return to full production during Level Four while the risk of infection remains high.
Businesses have been encouraged to adopt a work-from-home strategy where possible.
Lockdown has slowed the pandemic
President Ramaphosa said, coupled with measures such as closing the country's borders, the lockdown has slowed the progression of the pandemic.
This week the World Health Organisation commended South Africa's swift interventions to limit the spread of the virus.
The President said while a nationwide lockdown was probably the most effective means to contain the spread of the coronavirus, it cannot be sustained indefinitely.
“Our people need to eat.They need to earn a living. Companies need to be able to produce and to trade, they need to generate revenue and keep their employees in employment.”
The pandemic was declared a national disaster on 15 March.This was in an effort to delay the spread of the virus.
“We have sought to avoid a massive surge in infections and an uncontrollable increase in the number of people needing medical care. Our approach has been based on the principles of social distancing, restriction of movement and stringent basic hygiene practices.”
By delaying the spread of the virus government has had time to prepare the country's health facilities and mobilise essential medical supplies needed to meet the inevitable increase in infections.
“And it is in so doing, that we hope to save tens of thousands of lives.There is clear evidence that the lockdown has been working.”
NCCC to determine alert level
To ensure that government's response to the pandemic can be as precise and targeted as possible, President Ramaphosa said there will be a national level and separate levels for each province, district and metro in the country.
The NCCC is expected to determine the alert level based on an assessment of the infection rate and the capacity of South Africa's health system to provide care to those who need it.
“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,” he said.
Evidence at government's disposal indicates that 75 percent of confirmed coronavirus cases are found in just six metro municipalities – Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Cape Town, Buffalo City, eThekwini and Mangaung.
President Ramaphosa said it was therefore essential that everything was done to restrict the movement of people and reduce human interaction.
“Ultimately, it is our own actions, as individuals, that will determine how quickly the virus spreads. If we all adhere to instructions and follow public health guidelines, we will keep the virus under control and will not need to reinstate the most drastic restrictions,” he said.