Government warn lockdown could return to level five if cases spike
Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has warned South Africa that the phased re-opening of the economy is not linear and stage five lockdown could return.
Face coverings are mandatory under stage four
While detailing what the move to stage four of lockdown meant for South Africans Dlamini-Zuma also said that wearing cloth masks when out in public would become compulsory.
Dlamini-Zuma urged all South Africans to adhere to the measures the government has put in place to contain the spread and limit the impact of COVID-19.
The minister said that government would not hesitate to return to a hard lockdown if there was a spike in cases of the virus.
“If the numbers go up, we go back to level 5. So it’s all in our hands South Africans, whether we stick to what we do, so we must make the choice ourselves.”
Dlamini-Zuma conceded that purpose made face masks may not be readily available or accessible to all South Africans but insisted that some form of face-covering must be worn in public even if it is a makeshift measure.
“We know that these masks may not be easily available. If you don’t have a mask, use a scarf, use a t-shirt – so you have to have your nose and mask covered in public.”
Government ask for public input on lockdown stage four
The government have asked for public comment on the schedule of services to be phased in from 1 May when the lockdown is set to be scaled back to level four.
“In undertaking the Risk-Adjusted Strategy, the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 intend to sequence and phased in key sectors and priority areas with a view to deepening the fight against COVID-19 while simultaneously rebuilding our economy,” a government statement reads.
“The classification of sectors in the draft framework follows the Standard Industrial Classifications (SIC) as published by Statistics South Africa. Where an entire division is permitted, it can be assumed that all subgroupings are permitted as well. Where only certain subgroupings are specifically permitted within a division, it should be assumed that other subgroupings are not,” the government said. “In the document, when moving between levels, the green text means additions or changes from the prior level. For example, Level 4 now adds forestry and related services to Agriculture.”
The document contains guidelines for the submission of comment which should be done in writing and sent to via email to lockdowncomments@cogta.gov.za by 12:00, on Monday, 27 April 2020.
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