SA moves to Alert Level 3

Level 3 marks the re-opening of more sectors of the economy and fewer restrictions on the movement of people

South Africa moved to coronavirus Alert Level 3 from 1 June, with more sectors of the economy opening and the removal of a number of restrictions on the movement of people.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the country's progression from Alert Level 4 to Level 3 of the national lockdown following consultative meetings with the business, labour and community constituencies of the National Economic Development and Labour Council. The President also consulted with leaders of political, traditional leaders, leadership of interfaith communities, the South African Council of Churches and the tourism industry.

“While the nation-wide lockdown has been effective, it cannot be sustained indefinitely. We introduced the five-level coronavirus (COVID-19) alert system to manage the gradual easing of the lockdown,” said the President.

This risk-adjusted approach is guided by several criteria, including the level of infections and rate of transmission, the capacity of health facilities, the extent of the implementation of public health interventions and the economic and social impact of continued restrictions.

“It is on the basis of these criteria – and following consultation – that Cabinet has determined that the alert level for the whole country should be lowered from Level 4 to Level 3 with effect from 1 June 2020.”

President Ramaphosa said implementation of Level 3 involves the return to operation of most sectors of the economy, subject to observance of strict health protocols and social distancing rules.

The opening of the economy and other activities also means that more public servants have been called back to work. This was done in accordance with provi

sions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and guided by the Department of Public Service and Administration, working together with all other government departments.

Protocols and workplace plans

As more sectors of the economy open, government is relying on social compacts with role players to address the key risk factors at the workplace and in the interface between employees and the public.

“We will therefore be finalising a number of sector protocols and will require every company to develop a workplace plan before they reopen,” said the President.

According to these plans, companies will need to put in place sanitary and social distancing measures and facilities, screen workers on arrival each day, quarantine those who may be infected and make arrangements for them to be tested.

“They also need to assist with contact tracing if employees test positive. Because of their vulnerability, all staff who are older than 60 years of age and those who suffer from underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer should ideally stay at home.” Employees who can work from home should be allowed to do so, urged the President

Subject to these measures, manufacturing, mining, construction, financial services, professional and business services, information technology, communications, government services and media services, commenced full reopening from 1 June.

Wholesale and retail trade are now fully opened, including stores, spaza shops and informal traders. E-commerce continues to remain open. Other sectors that opened previously, such as agriculture and forestry, utilities, medical services, food production and manufacture of hygiene products, remain fully open.

COVID-19 hotspots

As part of South Africa's risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19, the country will have a differentiated approach to deal with areas that have far higher levels of infection and transmission.

A hotspot is defined as an area that has more than five infected people per every 100 000 people or where new infections are increasing at a fast pace.

To deal with the virus in these areas, government will implement intensive interventions aimed at decreasing the number of new infections.

“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 hotspot,” the President said.

This team will include epidemiologists, family practitioners, nurses, community health workers, public health experts and emergency medical services, to be supported by Cuban experts.

“We will link each hotspot to testing services, isolation facilities, quarantine facilities, treatment, hospital beds and contact tracing.

“Should it be necessary, any part of the country could be returned

to alert levels 4 or 5 if the spread of infection is not contained despite our interventions and there is a risk of our health facilities being overwhelmed.”

The list of hotspot areas will be reviewed every two weeks depending on the progression of the virus.

The President said about 60 000 community health workers have been going door-to-door across the country to identify possible cases of coronavirus.

“In preparation for the expected increase in infections, around 20 000 hospital beds have been, and are being, repurposed for COVID-19 cases, and 27 field hospitals are being built around the country. A number of these hospitals are ready to receive coronavirus patients.”

High-risk economic activities prohibited

Under Level 3, high-risk economic activities remain prohibited. These include:

• Restaurants, bars and taverns, except for delivery or collection of food.

• Accommodation and domestic air travel, except for business travel, which will be phased in on dates to be announced. • Conferences, events, entertainment and sporting activities. • Personal care services, including hairdressing and beauty services.

Movement of people and sale of alcohol

People are now able to exercise at any time during the day provided they do not do so in groups. The curfew on the movement of people has also been lifted.

“Alcohol may be sold for home consumption only under strict conditions, on specified days and for limited hours. Announcements in this regard will be made once we have concluded discussions with the sector on the various conditions,” the President said.

The sale of tobacco products remains prohibited, due to the health risks associated with smoking.

Infections to the rise

Various models have been built to predict the trajectory of the virus and help inform government's planning and budgeting.

The President noted that according to these models, South Africans can expect the number of COVID-19 cases in the country to rise further and faster.

“These models tell us two important things. Firstly, that the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa is going to get much worse before it gets better.

“Secondly, and most importantly, they tell us that the duration, scale and impact of the pandemic depends on our actions as a society and on our behaviour as individuals.”

With the risk of a massive increase in infections now greater than ever, the President reiterated that it was time for South Africans to intensify their efforts and deepen cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.

“Now, we look once again to you, to your actions and to your sense of responsibility. We look to you to uphold the sanctity of life and the dignity of all people.

“We look to you to protect the weakest and most vulnerable among us. We look to you to demonstrate the solidarity and compassion that has characterised the response of the South African people to this crisis.”

He urged South Africans to unite in action and tackle the pandemic as one people.