Will South Africa be moving to Alert Level 2 of the nationwide lockdown this week? Thereby, allowing more sectors of the economy to re-open.
This follows the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and Cabinet being advised to lift the ban on the sale of cigarettes and alcohol, as well as to move the country to Alert Level Two of the nationwide lockdown.
This recommendation was made by the Forum of South African Director-Generals (Fosad), a forum made up of director-generals of national departments.
Fosad met on Sunday, August 9, where it was resolved to make their recommendation to the NCCC and Cabinet. If their recommendation is accepted by the NCCC and endorsed by Cabinet, President Ramaphosa will address the nation before the end of the week to announce the move to Alert Level 2.
Citing sources who attended the forum meeting, TimesLive reported the recommendation would first have been presented at the NCCC meeting held on Tuesday, August 11. The council would then have to adopt the recommendation, with Cabinet then needing to approve it. Once this process is done, the recommendation can then be implemented.
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has also added that his team is currently making recommendations around the easing of the lockdown regulations to the council.
During an interview with the SABC, Dr Mkhize explained the government has recorded a downward trend in the number of COVID-19 cases in all South Africa’s provinces. These findings will be presented to President Ramaphosa this week.
As his department prepares the necessary submissions, Dr Mkhize stresses Ramaphosa will provide the necessary guidance on what still needs to be done. According to Dr Mkhize, the president’s guidance will be based on scientific evidence. As well as the current trends in COVID-19 cases and presentations from different sectors.
While it is currently unclear what to expect from Alert Level 2, immense pressure is being put on the government to lift the ban on alcohol and cigarette sales for an array of reasons.
With the government losing billions of Rands in Taxes, and millions of jobs on the line, sources have claimed the ban on both cigarettes and alcohol can no longer be justified. Nor can the damage it is causing be ignored for much longer. Cigarette industry insiders are also optimistic the president will be unbanning tobacco products this week.
While the Presidency has not confirmed whether Ramaphosa would address the nation on the matter this week, South Africans are now waiting with bated breath to see the economy reopen.
Author: Quinton Boucher
Edited: Calvin Swemmer
