Clarity needed on provincial travel curbs

The travel ban in and out of Gauteng to curb the spread of Covid-19 has caused confusion and anxiety, particularly amongst small businesses who depend on the province for survival.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday that because of the number of infections in the province, which has had more than 60% of the Covid-19 cases, travel for leisure purposes would be prohibited.

Travel would only be allowed for work, business or commercial purposes, transit through airports or for the transport of goods with a permit.

According to socioeconomist Solly Masilela, the lack of specifics on what travel for business and commercial purposes means was worrying.

“Business is defined in legal terms and only those big companies that could seek and produce permits will operate.

“Imagine someone from KwaMhlanga [Mpumalanga] who relies on his bakkie to buy potatoes in Marabastad [Gauteng] to survive. How do they prove they are travelling for business or commercials purposes?”

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma admitted the regulations would affect several aspects of lives and may require changes to planned activities, but objections fell on deaf ears.

The National Coronavirus Command Council will brief the media today about further measures to ensure compliance to the regulations in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.