U-turn in Durban: eThekwini will enter a ‘lighter lockdown’ on Friday

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala has had to do a bit of clarifying on Wednesday, following comments he made about lockdown over the weekend. He suggested that the eThekwini Municipality of Durban would remain in the hardest stage – Level 5 – going forward, despite the rest of the country moving towards Level 4. That, however, has now been rescinded.

Zikalala addressed the media earlier today explaining his abrupt u-turn. The politician explained that he expects some regulations to be lifted in eThekwini – but they will be enforced and policed in a much stricter manner than other locations of South Africa can expect.

Good news for Durban: Lockdown Level 4 to go ahead

Although almost 5 000 people have been infected by this “invisible enemy”, there have been over 2 000 recoveries so far. But lockdown will remain in place – through some shape or form – in the months to come. The risk of a second wave of mass infections remains high, and the government want to keep flattening the curve. Zikalala explained how citizens in Durban would fare from Friday:

“eThekwini is going to be part of those that are opening up some sectors and therefore it means we will be part of level four but that means that all regulations that are still attached will be implemented strictly”

Sihle Zikalala

KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala moves to clarify. He says Ethekwini will move to Level 4 on Friday. He says all regulations that are attached to this level will be implemented strictly @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/klO3PN9hVi

— Nushera Raisa Soodyal (@nushera) April 29, 2020

Why eThekwini faces severe lockdown patrols

Zikalala is concerned that the province accounts for 21% of South Africa’s new cases, with the bulk of infections reported in the province’s largest city. High rates of local transmission have been recorded in eThekwini, which has suddenly become the epicentre of the crisis in KZN.

The Premier was troubled by the fact that 121 healthcare workers in KwaZulu-Natal have tested positive for the illnes. Another cause for concern was the iLembe district just north of Durban, which is experiencing a spike in cases as well. Authorities in Durban are currently investigating how this happened.