South Africans Walk Outside as Country Eases Virus Lockdown
JOHANNESBURG - 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.
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 reported the most cases of COVID-19 in Africa with more than 5,600 confirmed and 83 deaths.
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.
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, 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.
Ordinarily South Africa marks Workers' Day with rallies by trade unions
and political parties, but these are not possible because of the
lockdown regulations.
"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 be reopened until safe
conditions can be assured.
There is still no date as to when higher education institution will
open, with the sector increasingly looking towards online learning.
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.
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.
Masks and social distancing will be required in trains, which were completely halted during the first lockdown.
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.
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.
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.
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.
VOA
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