South Africans walk outside as country eases virus lockdown
South Africa eases one of world’s strictest lockdowns
(about 1 hour later)
JOHANNESBURG —
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa began easing one of the world’s strictest lockdowns on Friday, with runners and dog-walkers returning eagerly to the streets but not all wearing the face masks that are now mandatory in the country with Africa’s most coronavirus cases.
A festive atmosphere has enlivened South Africa’s streets as the country marks the Workers’ Day public holiday and also has begun easing its strict lockdown conditions.
In Johannesburg, Cape Town and elsewhere, people took a breath of fall air and some headed to the malls to buy warm clothes for winter, which brings a new challenge in combating the virus: flu season.
From Johannesburg to Cape Town and other areas across the country thousands of people, most with mandated face masks and keeping some distance, promenaded outside. For the first time in five weeks, people were permitted to leave their homes for exercise between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. The regulations impose a night curfew prohibiting movement of most residents from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.
South Africa has more than 5,600 cases of COVID-19.
South Africa has reported the most cases of COVID-19 in Africa with more than 5,600 confirmed and 83 deaths.
As the country eases down one notch to Level 4 restrictions, many businesses can resume limited operations. Many mines, factories and agricultural businesses can resume work in phases, starting with only a third of employees. Restaurants can reopen for deliveries only.
As South Africa eased down one notch to Level 4 restrictions, many people will be able to return to work in small batches and many businesses will resume limited operations. Many mines, factories and agricultural businesses can resume operations in phases, starting with only a third of employees allowed to return to work to be sure that they maintain safe conditions.
People are now permitted to leave their homes for exercise between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. A night curfew is in place from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Public transport, including trains and buses, can operate with restricted numbers of passengers. But the ban on domestic and international travel remains.
Public transport, including trains and buses, will begin operating with restricted numbers of passengers. Personal cars are restricted to three people per vehicle.
Even with the easing, sales of liquor and cigarettes remain banned, which some have criticized as puritanical. But health officials warn that smoking might exacerbate respiratory problems experienced with COVID-19. The ban on alcohol sales has reduced brawls and traffic accidents, according to police.
Even with the easing, South Africa’s lockdown remains strict, with no sales of liquor and cigarettes permitted, which some have criticized as puritanical. However health officials warn that smoking might exacerbate respiratory problems experienced with COVID-19. The ban on sales of alcohol has reduced brawls and traffic accidents, according to police.
Friday is Workers’ Day and ordinarily South Africa marks it with rallies by trade unions and political parties, but these are not possible this year.
Ordinarily South Africa marks Workers’ Day with rallies by trade unions and political parties, but these are not possible because of the lockdown regulations.
But some workers found the return of business enough reason to celebrate. ““We were badly affected by the lockdown but fortunately we are open now. We had to listen to the leaders because this is a very difficult time,” said Cameron Elihaz, who owns a cellphone repair and accessories shop in Johannesburg.
“We want to take this opportunity to pay special dedication to our frontline health workers who are confronting this virus on daily basis in this difficult time,” said Jacob Khawe, secretary in Gauteng province of the ruling party, the African National Congress.
According to officials, schools should reopen in phases starting June 1 with the first batch being Grade 7 and Grade 12 pupils, the oldest classes in primary and secondary schools, respectively. But teachers’ unions have protested, saying schools should not reopen until safe conditions can be assured.
According to officials, schools should reopen in phases starting June 1 with the first batch being Grade 7 and Grade 12 pupils, the oldest classes in primary and secondary schools, respectively. But teachers’ unions have protested, saying schools should not be reopened until safe conditions can be assured.
There is no date for when higher education institutions will open, with the sector increasingly looking towards online learning.
There is still no date as to when higher education institution will open, with the sector increasingly looking towards online learning.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized that his government is trying to balance the need to curb the spread of the virus with pressure to minimize economic hardships in one of the world’s most unequal countries.
The country has been on a nationwide lockdown since March 27, halting most economic activities in the country as it sought to limit people’s movements to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Ramaphosa earlier announced a $26 billion socio-economic relief package as millions of informal workers have suffered. Unemployment is expected to soar above the 29% that existed before the virus arrived.
Minibus taxis and buses will be allowed to operate at 70% capacity for extended hours until 8 p.m., with all passengers required to wear masks and the vehicles required to be sanitized after every load.
South Africa has conducted more than 200,000 coronavirus tests. Officials say they will watch for areas of high concentrations of cases where they will implement targeted isolation measures.
Masks and social distancing will be required in trains, which were completely halted during the first lockdown.
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Restaurants and fast food outlets, which have been closed throughout the first five weeks of the lockdown, will only be allowed to sell takeaways by delivery.
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Many restrictions remain in place, however, including the ban on domestic and international travel.
South Africa will only reduce restrictions by moving to Level 3 when it achieves target rates of infection, said Health minister Zweli Mkhize without specifying the rates.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized that his government is balancing the need to curb the spread of the virus with pressure to minimize economic hardships, especially to South Africa’s most vulnerable poor.
Ramaphosa has rolled out a $26 billion socio-economic relief package for the country.
Community screening and testing is increasing. Community health workers have already screened more than 3.6 million people and conducted more than 200,000 tests. Officials say they will be on the lookout for hot spot areas of high concentrations of cases where they will target isolation measures.
South Africa’s Western Cape province, which includes the city of Cape Town, has the highest number of cases with more than 2,340.
The economic hub of Gauteng province, which includes the largest city, Johannesburg, has more than 1,440 cases.
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
