CHARLES MOLELE
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation next week on the developments of the country’s risk-adjusted strategy to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said on Thursday.
This comes amid speculation that government is contemplating another hard lockdown which would the closure of restaurants and nightclubs to corral a surge of the coronavirus.
Mthembu told a post-Cabinet media briefing that Ramaphosa’s address to the nation would be preceded by a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council, followed by another Cabinet meeting.
“Cabinet will deliberate the outcomes of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) to be held next week. President Ramaphosa will thereafter brief the nation on the developments in South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19,” said Mthembu.
Last week, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala warned of another hard lockdown if people continue to flout social distancing regulations.
Zikalala said the government could be forced to implement hard lockdown during festive season, if reckless behaviour continues.
Mthembu, however, said it was premature to speculate whether Ramaphosa would announce new measures to contain transmission of the virus.
He said the president would be guided by the advice of experts conveyed to the command council, which groups Cabinet ministers.
The president will take the nation into his confidence, can we allow the president to take us into his confidence?” he said in response to questions about a potential tightening of restrictions in response to the health crisis.
“Cabinet is concerned that some people are behaving recklessly and irresponsibly as if COVID-19 no longer exists. Cabinet calls on all people in South Africa to continue adhering to the health protocols of practising social distancing, wearing masks in public and washing our hands with water and soap or an alcohol-based sanitiser, and avoiding large gatherings,” said Mthembu.
“Such consistent considerate behaviour remains the greatest defence in protecting ourselves and others against the virus. Our responsible actions will ensure we minimise the rates of infections whilst we continue to rebuild our economy.”
According to figures given issued by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, 2,056 new infections were recorded in the previous 24 hours.
“As of today (Wednesday), the cumulative number of detected COVID-19 cases is 730 548 with 1 721 new cases identified since the last report,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize.
“Regrettably, we report 46 COVID-19 related deaths today: 24 from Eastern Cape, 9 from Gauteng, 3 from the Free State, 5 from KwaZulu Natal, 1 from Northern Cape and 4 from Western Cape. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 19 585. Of the 46 deaths reported today, 9 were reported to have occurred in the past 24-48 hours: 1 in the Free State, 2 in Eastern Cape, 2 in Gauteng, 1 in Northern Cape and 3 in Western Cape.”
South Africa’s recoveries now stand at 660 185 which translates to a recovery rate of 90%.
(SOURCE: INSIDE POLITICS)
