In a Speech following his Adjusted Level 3 Speech a mere 13 days ago, President Ramaphosa announced hard-hitting new measures to curb the ravaging Wave 3 of the Corona Pandemic in our country, with effect from tomorrow.

The President announced an Adjusted Level 4 Lockdown as of tomorrow, with Curfew starting at 21h00.  Restaurants may only offer Food Delivery and Collection.  No alcohol sales are allowed at all.

For the first time the President spoke in an African language in starting his speech. He quoted the late President Mandela, from his ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ Book, climbing many hills. Two devastating Waves of the pandemic are behind us, and were effectively dealt with due to the swift action taken by the Governent.

Due to the doubling of new cases, and deaths increasing by 50%, we are in the Third Wave of the pandemic. Now we have the Delta variant, originating from India and spreading like wildfire. It is now in our country, in five provinces, including Gauteng and the Western Cape. It is easier to catch, being twice as contagious. Persons who tested positive in having the Beta variant may become ill from the Delta variant too. He highlighted the severity of the current Corona situation. We have overtaken the peak of Wave 1 currently, and Gauteng accounts for 60% of new cases. The Third Wave peak may be higher than the previous two.

The President said that we have become complacent in following Covid regulations, which has come at a high price.  He said that the current Level 3 measures are not enough, and more are needed to break the chain of the pandemic.

The President announced that we would move to Adjusted Level 4 for 14 days, after which progress will be evaluated.

From tomorrow 28 June until 11 July the following Level 4 regulations are in place:

1,  All gatherings are banned

2. Funerals and cremation attendance is allowed, to a maximum of 50

3.  Curfew is from 21h00, until 4h00.

4.  Sale of alcohol by restaurants, bars and retail outlets is banned

5. Leisure travel in or out of Gauteng is forbidden

6.  Visits to old age homes will be permitted with restrictions

7.  Restaurants are only able to offer Food Delivery and Collection

8.  All schools will be closed by the end of this week.

9.  Staff should be encouraged to work from home.

10.  Public spaces such as beaches and parks remain open.

The Presidebt confirmed that 50 – 59 year olds can register for Vaccinations from 1 July.

We can expect a next Speech by the President on or near 11 July.

 

The Corona Virus Lockdown (Level 5), announced by our President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier to commence on 27 March and to continue until 16 April, subsequently extended to 30 April, lowered to Level 4 from 1 May, lowered to Level 3 from 1 June, lowered to Level 2 from 18 August, lowered to Level 1 from 21 September, and moved back to Adjusted Level 3 from 29 December,  extended to 15 February on 11 January, extended but relaxed on 1 February, and relaxed back to Level 1 on 1 March 2021, moved back to Adjusted Level 2 on 31 May, and moved back to level 3 on 16 June, is an unprecedented event in my lifetime. I am posting my daily Facebook post to journal this Corona Lockdown Journey, perhaps to serve as material for a future Book.

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whaletalesblog.com www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide

 

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