THE country could move to level 2 this week if Cabinet accepts a recommendation from directors-general to open more sectors of the economy.
A forum made up of directors-general of national departments (FOSAD), met on Sunday where it was resolved to recommend to the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), that almost all sectors of the economy be opened except crowded places, but under strict enforcement of social distancing, hand sanitisation and wearing of masks.
If their recommendation is accepted by the NCCC and endorsed by Cabinet, President Cyril Ramaphosa could address the nation before the end of the week to communicate the move to Level 2
Citing sources who attended the forum meeting where the resolution was made, TimesLive reports said that the recommendation would have been presented at the NCCC meeting held on Tuesday. The council would have to adopt the recommendation, and cabinet would have to approve it before it could be implemented.
Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said on Tuesday that his team is making recommendations to the council around the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Mkhize told the SABC that the government has recorded a downward trend in coronavirus cases across all of South Africa’s provinces, and will present these findings to president Cyril Ramaphosa this week.
“We are preparing submissions. We will need to make certain restrictions around easing restrictions and the NCCC will have to take into account a lot of issues. Out of that, the president will provide guidance around what we are able to do.”
(COMPILED BY INSIDE POLITICS STAFF)
