Ramaphosa announces easing of restrictions from May 1

President Cyril Ramaphosa has resolved that beyond Thursday 30 April there should be a gradual and phased recovery of economic activity in the South Africa.

Ramphosa made the announcement of the easing of  lockdown restrictions on Thursday evening.

“We will implement a risk adjusted strategy through which we take a deliberate and cautious approach to the easing of current lockdown restrictions” said Ramaphosa

The president said that while the national lockdown had yielded positive results, it was not sustainable. He unveiled an approach that they had developed to determine the measures that should be in place based on the direction of the pandemic in thecountry.

5 Coronvirus levels approach

-Level 5 Drastic measures to contain the spread of the virus and save lives.

-Level 4 Extreme precautions to limit community transmission and outbreaks,while allowing some activity to resume.

-Level 3 Restrictions on many activities,including work place and socially to address a high risk of transmission.

-Level 2 Physical distancing and restrictions on leisure and social activities to prevent a resurgence of the virus.

-Level 1 Most normal activity can resume,with precautions and health guidelines followed at all times.

The president added that in order to ensure that the approach is precise, there would be a national level, which is currently Level 5 and then separate levels for provinces, districts and metros.

Businesses to resume operations

“All businesses that are permitted  to resume operations will be required to do so in a phased manner, first preparing the workplace for a return to operations, followed by the return of the workforce in batches of no more than one-third.”

Level 4 effective 1 May

-Borders will remain closed to international travel, except for repatriation.

-No travel will be allowed between provinces, except the transportation of goods and exceptional circumstance such as funerals.

-Public transport will continue with limitations on the number of passengers and stringent hygiene requirements.

-The sale of cigarettes will be permitted.

-Conferences and convention centres,entertainment venues,cinemas,theaters and concerts will remain closed

-Concerts,sporting events  and religious ,cultural and social gatherings will not be allowed until it is deemed safe to do so.

The president as urged citizens to act responsibly during this period.