Systems in place to handle virus
Ramaphosa announces easing of restrictions to level 3, with greater economic activity and curfew lifted
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed confidence in the Covid-19 health-care infrastructure built by his administration, as he announced the easing of the national lockdown for the whole country, effective from Monday next week.
Ramaphosa last night addressed the nation on the further relaxation of the lockdown to level 3, which would see the curfew on the movement of people being lifted and where greater economic activity will be permitted, including the restricted sale of liquor.
All retail, manufacturing, mining, construction, financial services, professional and business services, information technology, communications, government services and media services are set to commence fully .
To date, there are 22 583 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with 429 deaths.
Of the active Covid-19 cases, 842 patients were hospitalised, with 128 in intensive care.
Ramaphosa said the country had managed to strengthen its health response during the more stringent levels of the lockdown, with more than half a million tests and more than 12 million screenings conducted.
“In preparation for the expected increase in infections, around 20 000 hospital beds have been re-purposed for Covid-19 cases, and there are 27 field hospitals that are being built around the country.
A number of these hospitals are ready to receive coronavirus patients,” the president said.
His address was preceded by a series of consultative meetings with social sectors including business, labour and political parties.
The president said despite initial plans to keep provinces and regions with Covid-19 hot spots in level 4, the Cabinet had determined that the whole country be moved to level 3, with the specific hot spots being declared and targeted with interventions.
All Gauteng metros, Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni have been declared Covid-19 hot spots alongside the City of Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and ethekwini metros.
Other districts around the country have also been included in the list, including the Cape Winelands in the Western Cape, Chris Hani in the Eastern Cape and ilembe in Kwazulu-natal.
“The list of hot-spot areas will be reviewed every two weeks, depending on the progression of the virus.
“In dealing with the virus in these areas, we will implement intensive interventions aimed at decreasing the number of new infections,” said Ramaphosa.
“We are putting in place enhanced measures of surveillance, infection control and management.
“We will assign a full-time team of experienced personnel to each of these hot spots.” Ramaphosa also indicated that various models have been built to predict the trajectory of the expected infection surge.
Several political parties and businesses negatively affected by the lockdown regulations have been campaigning for the ending of the lockdown, including the DA, which has resorted to the courts to legally challenge some of the regulations imposed by the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) led by Ramaphosa.
The tobacco industry was, however, dealt yet another huge blow yesterday as Ramaphosa announced that the sale of tobacco would remain banned due to the health risks associated with smoking.
All places for public cultural, sporting, entertainment, recreational and organisational activities would still be prohibited from operating.
Bars, taverns and personal care service, including beauty and hairdressing services, would also remain prohibited from operating, while restaurants would remain open for only delivery and collection of food.