LOCKDOWN: SA moves swiftly to Alert Level 3, with tighter restrictions on alcohol sales

On Tuesday, 15 June 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed that the country will be placed under Alert Level 3 of nationwide lockdown amid high spike of Covid-19 cases, caused by the third wave.  

The address comes following the immediate call for a meeting between the President’s Coordinating Council and the Cabinet, as to mitigate ways to prevent the spread of the virus and to ease high levels of infections.

In the past seven days, the rate of infection has risen by 48% from 51 000 to 75 000.

According to President Ramaphosa, four provinces with the fastest growing infections rate are Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and North West, with Gauteng in the lead.

Gauteng is said to occupy two thirds of the infections rate. 

Private hospitals have indicated that they are near capacity. 

In his address, Ramaphosa said: “I fully understand that you are concerned about constraints that restrict your freedom to travel, to gather, to socialize, to worship and, in some instances, even to earn a living.”

Ramaphosa further stressed that the pandemic has by far affected the country and its economy. 

The president has urged the nation to work together in decreasing the infections rate by not disregarding the rules of Covid-19, changing their behavior towards the situation and also monitoring their daily activities in overcrowding places.

“This will help limit transmissions and slow down the rate of infections,” addressed Ramaphosa.  

He stated that, the distinctive role of the government at the current stage, is to ensure health department is prioritized, “We are working timelessly to ensure there are enough beds in hospitals, ventilators and adequate facilities needed by the health department,” he added.  

In alert level three, the curfew starts at 10pm – 4am.

Restaurants, bars and gyms will close by 9pm to ensure that the employees and customers arrive home in time. 

Indoor gatherings should are limited to 50 people and outdoor gatherings up to 100 people. In instances whereby a venue may be too small, only 50% of the actual capacity may be hosted. This includes religious services, political events, social gatherings, restaurants and bars, etc. 

There may only be 50 people at a funeral. Night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and after-tears are prohibited. 

The sale of retail outlets for offside consumption will be permitted from 10am – 6pm on Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

For onside consumption, it will be permitted as per license conditions up to 9pm. Alcohol consumption in public spaces like beaches and parks is strictly prohibited. Ramaphosa says that the Covid-19 data is being closely monitored and expert advice is always taken in high regard during decision making. 

UPDATES ON THE VACCINE PROGRAMME:

The first purchase of vaccines from India was not a success as the scientists have concluded that the vaccines were not effective enough to protect individuals from the corona virus. 

There has also been a shortage of vaccine supply around the world, which mostly affects South Africa, the African continent and other middle-income countries. 

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine proved to be the best with a single dose needed per person. The supplier was however, under investigation in Baltimore, USA, regarding the contamination of ingredients of the vaccine.  The already bought vaccine from Johnson and Johnson that was stored in a warehouse had to be destroyed. 

PHASE 1: The Pfizer vaccine is the current vaccine to be relied on, and it is also the same one that is being used to vaccinate the people. So far, 485 000 health workers have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to date. 

PHASE 2: 1.5 million health workers and people over the age of 70 have been vaccinated. In total, almost two million people have been vaccinated in South Africa. 

The vaccination rate stands at 80 000 people being vaccinated a day at over 570 sites in both the public and private sectors. 

Johnson and Johnson legal matters are now resolved. The company has indicted that it will deliver around two million vaccines to South Africa to replace the initial ones that had to be destroyed. These vaccines will be for educators at schools and also security personnel on the front line. 

It has been indicated that the country is at a capacity to vaccinate at lady 150 000 people a day, and will soon be vaccinating 250 000.

Citizens are advised to register for vaccination through the internet, phone calls or on person. 

PROGRESS: 

In December, 640 health workers were infected within a period of seven days. From today to the past seven days 64 health workers were infected. The government is determined to ensure that no health worker gets infected while in duty. 

In closing, the President delivered the following message to the nation, “This pandemic will pass, but it is up to us to determine how long it will last, how damaging it will be and how long it will take our economy and country to recover.”