President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation this evening, announcing that only stricter Lockdown regulations will be implemented in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro area, as of midnight tonight. This news comes as a huge relief for the restaurant industry of the Western Cape!

The President thanked those that honoured the five day mourning period last week, in recognition of those that died of the Covid Virus, and of Gender-based violence.

South Africa currently has the 14th highest level of infections in the world, after having been fifth highest in the world in earlier stages of the Lockdown. We always knew a second wave of infections could be possible, he said, and certain parts of our country are seeing a resurgence in infections. Since August our country had less than 2000 new infections per day, but this changed in the past three weeks, with an increasing number of cases and hospital admissions.

A week ago there were almost 2900 new cases per day. Hospital admissions currently are 5800 nationally.  Most new infections are in Nelson Mandela Bay and Sarah Baartman District as well as on the Garden Route. The President said reasons are greater travel between provinces, and by seasonal workers, as well as cultural and religious gatherings, with more persons attending gatherings in larger numbers than allowed, including funerals and the after-funeral parties.  However, he said that the largest number of new infractions come from not wearing masks and not keeping correct social distance.

A Resurgence plan is to be implemented in the affected areas, more clinic capacity being made available, and increasing an awareness campaign. Our country needs to quickly extinguish the flames of the infections, while keeping the economy of our country open.

Additional measures which are to be implemented in Corona Virus hotspots pertain only in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro hotspot, from midnight tonight. The Curfew moves back to 22h00 to 4h00. The sale of alcohol is restricted to Monday to Thursday. No alcohol is allowed to be consumed on beaches.No gatherings may be to be attended by more than 100 persons at indoor events and more than 250 persons at outdoor events, restricted to 50% of the capacity of the venue.

These steps are absolutely necessary, he said. The Summer initiation season may continue. A risk adjusted plan has been presented and approved for this.

The President encouraged citizens to avoid attending events over the Festive Season, as they can be super-spreader events. Gatherings should be kept small, in well-ventilated venues, he urged.

We can thank Western Cape Premier Alan Winde for us having been spared a similar tightening of Lockdown regulations. Earlier this week the Premier argued against a tighter Lockdown, given the economic damage it would cause, and how it would affect employment and the citizens of our province:

Will the Western Cape go into stricter Level of Lockdown due to rising Corona cases?

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein

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