Time to get lives back, says DA leader

Democratic Alliance interim leader John Steenhuisen has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately open all sectors of the economy.

Steenhuisen’s call comes amid growing speculation that the president will announce a move to Level 1 of the lockdown this week.

South Africa has been under varying levels of the lockdown since March in a bid to combat the spread of Covid-19.

Initial projections suggested that under Level 1, the country would return to some level of normality, with health and safety protocols still in place.

Steenhuisen said the president must allow international travel and a normal school week.

“This severe and prolonged lockdown has plunged our economy, the lifeline of our society, into unprecedented crisis,” Steenhuisen said in a statement.

Ramaphosa yesterday chaired virtual meetings with his coordinating council and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) for further discussions on the possible move.

Steenhuisen said lockdown restrictions must end “immediately” with the exception of mass gatherings in confined spaces.

“The lockdown has devastated South Africa’s economy, causing immense suffering, including widespread hunger. It has increased the risk for millions of households and aggravated inequality, including educational inequality,” he said.

He added that the government should be able to trust people to take “individual responsibility” and observe the necessary protocols.

–News24 Wire