President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday evening announced that restaurants and hair salons, among others, will be allowed to reopen under Level 3 of the Covid-19 lockdown in South Africa.
In a 30-minute televised speech, the president also condemned the rise in gender-based violence, and said 21 women have died over the past few weeks.
He said the country should question its relationship with liquor, the sale of which was briefly banned, as it contributes to violence against women and accidents on roads.
Here are all the businesses Ramaphosa announced will be allowed to reopen
Ramaphosa said the country had 1 674 confirmed deaths from Covid-19. He said it is now individuals’ own responsibility to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Here are 10 things you need to know about his address:
Life-saving Covid-19 drug manufactured in South Africa
Ramaphosa said in the midst of a “life-destroying pandemic”, the country is greatly encouraged by the news of a breakthrough in the treatment of Covid-19 using dexamethasone.
A study by the University of Oxford in Britain found the drug – which is also manufactured in South Africa by one of the country’s pharmaceutical companies, and of which there is an ample supply – reduced deaths among patients on ventilation by a third.
Ramaphosa said the Department of Health and the Ministerial Advisory Committee had recommended that dexamethasone be considered for use on patients on ventilators and oxygen supply.
South Africa has seen 80 412 confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of the outbreak, Ramaphosa said.
He said of these, 44 331 people – or around 55% – had recovered. South Africa therefore currently had 34 407 active cases.
Ramaphosa said one of the ways of measuring the rate of transmission is called the “doubling time”. This is the number of days it takes for the total number of cases to double.
He said in the three weeks prior to the implementation of the nationwide lockdown, the number of infections had doubled every two days.
During Level 5 of the lockdown, this doubling time increased to 15 days. And the doubling time has been at around 12 days during levels 4 and 3.
Covid-19 infections are rising rapidly in South Africa
Ramaphosa said nearly a third of all confirmed cases had been recorded in the last week alone, and more than half of all confirmed cases had been recorded over the last two weeks.
He said the Western Cape has so far been hardest hit by the disease, accounting for about 60% of infections in the country.
“There are indications that transmission in the Eastern Cape is now starting to rise and may just be a few weeks behind the Western Cape.”
He said as the country gradually opens up, as people resume more activities, the risk of infection would inevitably increase.
“For many of us, what was once a distant disease is now coming much closer.
Wearing masks and handwashing are the most effective way to combat the virus
Ramaphosa said studies show that wearing a cloth mask or similar piece of clothing that covers both nose and mouth at all times while in public places is effective in slowing down the spread of the virus.
He also reminded South Africans not to touch their faces with unwashed hands, and to clean and sanitise surfaces regularly.
“We should also keep in mind that social distancing is still one of the most effective ways of reducing the spread of the virus,” he said.
Ramaphosa said these basic practices are becoming even more important now as the country eases the lockdown and enters a new phase in the coronavirus response.
“It is about each of us taking personal responsibility, wherever we are and whoever we are, for curbing the spread of the disease.”
Fumigation tunnels may be harmful
Ramaphosa said medical experts had advised the government that fumigation tunnels and body spraying, which has been set up at taxi ranks and major buildings, may be harmful and should not be used.
South Africa takes a targeted approach with Covid-19 testing
Ramaphosa said South Africa, like many other countries, has been affected by the global shortage of coronavirus test kits and other materials. He said the country has therefore become more targeted in its testing, prioritising patients in hospitals, healthcare workers, vulnerable people like the elderly and hotspot areas.
“Although the situation is improving, we continue to experience delays in testing.
Restaurants for sit-down meals, hairdressers and casinos allowed to reopen
Ramaphosa said since the national lockdown, businesses and individuals have not had any income for more than 80 days.
He said even with the measures the country had put in place to support companies, employees and poor households as part of the R500 billion relief package, there was a limit to how long these businesses can be closed.
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Source: anisanews
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