Level 3 for everyone, but hotspots will be watched closely

Every part of SA will be afforded greater freedoms under level 3 of the national lockdown, the most important being that millions of citizens will be allowed to return to work from June 1.

However, most of the country's metros, including Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape, will be closely monitored as they have been classified coronavirus hotspot areas by the government.

These were the major takeaways from President  Cyril Ramaphosa's address on Sunday night, although there were also other significant announcements.   

One of these is that people will be able to exercise at any time of the day, provided they are not in groups. The 8pm to 5am curfew that has been in place under level 4 restrictions also falls away.

The two-month booze drought will come to end when the sale of alcohol is once again permitted next week — a move that will no doubt come as huge relief to millions of drinkers around the country.

But liquor sales will be restricted to certain hours and days. Ramaphosa said more details will be made available in the coming days.

For smokers however,  the president's decision to keep the tobacco ban in place will set many tongues wagging. Cogta minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has come under fire in recent weeks for allegedly being in the pocket of independent tobacco barons who have funded her party and 2017 presidential campaign.

But her supporters, including those in the ANC, EFF and ACDP, have repeatedly stated there is nothing sinister behind her motives.

The president has found himself between a rock and a hard place in respect of weighing up the spread of the coronavirus with the jobs bloodbath on his hands.

As of Sunday night, there were 22,583 confirmed coronavirus cases in SA. A total of 429 people have died.

There has been much speculation that metros displaying high infection rates would remain at level 4, but Ramaphosa made it clear that this would not be the case — for the moment.

He said aside from the metros, other parts of the country, such as the Chris Hani district, had high infection rates and would also be considered hotspots.  

“Hotspot areas will be reviewed every two weeks. We will also be making intensive interventions in these areas, enhanced measures including surveillance and management of the infection levels. Experienced teams will be placed in each of these hotspots, and will include community health workers, nurses and emergency medical services. They will be supported by the Cuban doctors currently in the country,” Ramaphosa said.

“Each hotspot will be linked to testing services, contact tracing and hospital beds, among others. Should it be necessary, any part of the country could be returned to level 4 or even if there is a risk of health facilities being overwhelmed.” 

The return to work for an estimated 8-million South Africans “subject to strict health protocols” from June 1 will bring much-needed relief to the economy.

People will be able to buy most goods, while all mining, manufacturing, financial services, IT and communications businesses, among others, will be allowed to operate.

“We are finalising a number of sector protocols which employers will need to adhere to, including sanitisation, quarantining infected workers and making arrangements for them to be tested. They will also be asked to assist with contract tracing,” Ramaphosa said.

All staff over 60 and those suffering underlying health conditions should stay at home, he said.

Bars, taverns and restaurants, which are considered “high risk”, will remain closed.

Domestic air travel, except business travel, will remain grounded under level 3.

Small businesses like hairdressing salons would be “phased in”.

One of the greatest challenges, Ramaphosa said, was that the country faced an increased risk of transmission in public transport.

“Commuters will always need to wear masks and wash their hands before and after travel. They need to keep a safe distance from other commuters. Some businesses have proposed staggering working hours to help with the transport situation,” he said.

In respect of schools, where Grades 7 and 12 return next week, Ramaphosa said the curriculum would be “trimmed” to ensure pupils did not fall behind. He emphasised no parents would be forced to send their child to school.  

“All public universities are expected to implement remote teaching and learning strategies. No more than a third of student population will be allowed to return to campuses,” the president said in reference to tertiary learning institutions.

In the public interest, most of our coronavirus news isn’t behind our paywall, and is free to read. To support our mission of delivering award-winning, independent local news, subscribe from as little as R45 per month by clicking here.