Jackson Mthembu has suggested that the places in South Africa worst-hit by coronavirus will be subject to ‘enhanced regulations’ – but no-one will be moving back to a stricter form of lockdown. These so-called ‘hot-spots’ are likely to receive more intense scrutiny, but it won’t be enough to ‘relegate’ their lockdown status.
Who is likely to get ‘enhanced regulations’ during Alert Level 3?
Minister Mthembu confirmed that, amongst the many discussions held in by the Cabinet this week, it was resolved that the entire country must stay at Level 3. Cyril Ramaphosa and a delegation of medical experts are set to arrive in the Western Cape tomorrow, where 65% of SA’s coronavirus infections have been recorded.
Responding to questions about the validity of South Africa’s lockdown – which took a battering in court this week – the Cabinet representative told the media that both Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Zweli Mkhize will slightly alter the lockdown rules in all disease hot-spots showing high rates of transmission.
“All I know is that the entire country stays at Alert Level 3. There’s been no discussion in Cabinet for putting places like the Western Cape at a stricter phase. I’m not aware of any province being asked to move back to Level 4.”
“But, in all hot-spots, there will be other ‘enhanced regulations’ that will kick in. We await the ministers for Health and COGTA [Zweli Mkhize and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to give us those regulations and explain how they apply to highly affected areas.”
Jackson Mthembu
Jackson Mthembu defends lockdown policies
Of course, the devil is in the detail – but that’s exactly what is missing. Mthembu wouldn’t be drawn on any further knowledge of what ‘enhanced regulations for hot-spots‘ might involve, passing the buck to his colleagues. Then, the minister instead chose to defend the government’s lockdown policy, urging citizens to stick to the rules:
Source: The South African Read More“Cabinet wishes to assure the nation that all interventions introduced since the declaring of the National State of Disaster in March 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa have been directed primarily at saving the lives of our people. Level 3 regulations remain in force for the time being.”
“We appeal and urge our people to observe the health protocols that have been put in place, including washing of hands, social distancing, wearing masks in public, as well as screening and referral for testing where necessary. It’s with all the regulations that will help us save lives and nothing else.”
Jackson Mthembu
