PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce an easing of lockdown restrictions in the next few days after meeting the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) on Tuesday.
It is understood the president will move the country to Level 2 lockdown.
The possible amendments include an adjusted curfew, and an increase in the number of people permitted to attend gatherings.
Another suggested amendment was around the sale of alcohol. Offsite alcohol sales would reportedly be allowed from Monday to Friday until 6pm, while on-site sales would be permitted until 10pm.
According to a government advisory published on Tuesday, the address will also focus on the way forward to achieve population immunity through vaccination.
“The meetings reflected on the rate of Covid-19 infections and vaccinations, and assessed the Covid-19 prevention measures in force under the Adjusted Level 3 of the national state of disaster.”
“The NCCC agreed that government will in the coming days hold consultations with political parties and the religious sector on the observance of safety measures.”
No date or time has yet been given for the president’s address.
Health minister Joe Phaahla said that the Department of Health and Covid-19 Ministerial Advisory Committee analyse infection trends every week.
Addressing media on Friday (3 September), Phaahla said that if there is a sustained decline in infections, then the president will be advised by the department to ease restrictions.
“If it becomes clear that there is stability and the infection rates are definitely stabilising, we will give the necessary advice. You can look forward to some more relaxations – but there will still be a responsibility on us to follow the protocols,” he said.
A total of 203 825 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in South Africa, with Gauteng leading with 62 040, followed by the Western Cape with 36 650 vaccines administered as of Monday.
According to the latest vaccine statistics released by the Department of Health, a total of 13 673 651 vaccines have been administered as at 6 September 2021.
The statistics also showed that a total of 122 385 individuals have been fully vaccinated in the last 24 hours. These include 90 207 people vaccinated with Pfizer and 32 178 people vaccinated with Johnson and Johnson.
The department reported that the cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 2 599 667, with a recovery rate of 92,1%.
“As of today [Monday], the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases identified in South Africa is 2 824 063, with 4 118 new cases reported. One hundred and ninety-eight deaths have been reported, bringing the total to 83 617 deaths,” the department said.
- Inside Politics
