Lockdown: Ramaphosa outlines what districts must do to reach Level 3

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed appreciation to social partners for making a progression to Level 3 a reality. The president also outlined what is needed for districts to successfully progress to lower levels of lockdown. 

This follows a meeting with the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) on Friday 15 May. According to SA News, NEDLAC called for the imminent Level 3 lockdown to be used as an opportunity to expand local production and greater consumption of South African-made goods.

HERE’S WHAT’S NEEDED FOR PROGRESSION TO LEVEL 3 

The president reiterated that progression to Level 3 must be accompanied by the crucial, non-negotiable and practical interventions in the country’s coronavirus prevention toolbox.

Ramaphosa said the following precautions could warrant a move to Level 3:

• Achieving social distancing;
• Practising hand hygiene;
• Wearing cloth masks in public places;
• Practising frequent cleaning of work environments and other spaces; and
• Etiquette of coughing into one’s elbow or into tissue is also a must as he often demonstrates while addressing the nation. 

In terms of the government’s response, Ramaphosa said processes such as symptom screening; testing, isolation, quarantine and contact tracing need to be in tip-top shape.

The president expressed optimism that the work done by NEDLAC and the government’s continued consultation with other formations and sectors could deliver an advance to Level 3 before the end of May 2020. 

COVID-19 INFECTION RATE 

According to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, each stage of lockdown will be determined by district.

“The case numbers will be monitored and the National Command Council will review the level of lockdown per district every two weeks. The fundamentals of COVID-19 prevention should not be forgotten as we move forward, either. Social distancing, wearing cloth masks in public and regular hand hygiene should persist,” said Mkhize. 

Lest we forget that one of the most important deciding factors, however, is the number of infections and the rate at which they increase. Mkhize explained that by looking at the average active cases per 100 000 people in each district, a decision will be made to either progress to the next phase of a lockdown or remain at the current level. 

Districts with rapidly growing infection rates will most likely remain at Level 4 in order to curb the spread of the virus.

“Depending on the average active cases per 100 000 people, districts will be individually assigned levels of lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. COVID-19 hotspots have emerged in the Eastern and Western Capes with more than half the country’s cases emanating from the two provinces,” added Mkhize. 

NEDLAC LOOKS TO LEVEL 3 LOCKDOWN 

As part of supporting the health system, NEDLAC wants to see significant production in South Africa of many of the resources — including personal protection equipment, masks, ventilators and thermometers — required on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19. 

At the meeting on Friday, constituencies reported on their respective preparations for the step-down to Level 3, which will more than double the current number of people who have returned to work as part of the level 4 easing.

NEDLAC also received calls that social and food support be intensified in vulnerable communities; that all businesses comply with COVID-19 safety measures, and that greater funding and other support be extended to community-based organisations. More than 1.5 million people are employed by 150 of the community-based organisations that are registered in the country.

Social partners agreed on the need for the strengthening and sustainability of prevention measures at workplaces, on public transport and in public places, as elements of a long-term way of life in the midst of COVID-19.