South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday that
he aimed to further ease restrictions imposed to curb the new coronavirus, but places
with the most infections likely would remain into June on “alert level 4” of a
five-level system.
It would be recalled that Ramaphosa imposed one of the
world’s toughest lockdowns in late March, with restrictions only easing
slightly from May 1 when the country moved to a five-level alert system where
five represents the most restrictions.
He said in an address to the nation on Wednesday that the
strict measures were necessary to improve the readiness of the country’s health
facilities and prevent additional deaths. The country moved from level 5 to
level 4 on May 1.
“We will therefore continue to proceed cautiously,” he said.
“Our goal is to steadily increase economic activity while putting measures in
place to reduce the transmission of the virus and provide adequate care for
those who become infected and need treatment.”
Africa’s most industrialised economy has recorded 219
coronavirus deaths, with 12,074 confirmed cases, Ramaphosa said.
“We will immediately begin a process of consultation with
relevant stakeholders on a proposal that by the end of May, most of the country
be placed on alert level 3, but that those parts of the country with the
highest rates of infection remain on level 4,” he said.
Ramaphosa said it was important to maintain stringent
restrictions in metropolitan areas, where infections are greatest. Under level
3, more businesses will be allowed to operate and more goods to be sold.
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