This evening President Ramaphosa addressed the nation, the first time in almost two months since he announced the country’s move to Level 1.

The President announced that the National State of Disaster has been extended to 15 December.

The country’s focus still is on saving lives and saving livelihoods.  Economic recovery is the focus going forward, and UIF/TERS employee relief will be extended to mid-October 2020.

The most exciting news is the immediate opening of our country’s borders, to tourists from all countries, subject to presenting  negative Corona tests on arrival. Alcohol may also be sold at regular trading hours again.

The President said that the last seven months of the Lockdown have placed a large toll on our nation. We have a commendable 92% recovery rate, and our death rate reaching 20011 deaths today is luckily low compared to other countries.

The spread of a second wave of Covid infections in many overseas countries has been fast, and should be prevented from happening in South Africa.

The Eastern Cape province, and the Nelson Mandela Bay and Saartjie Baartman Metros are showing a vast rise in infection numbers, increasing by 50% in the past week. Reasons for this increase appear to be at universities, schools, and large gatherings.  A Resurgence Plan has been decided in conjunction with the WHO, increasing contact tracing and reaction to cluster outbreaks. The President described this Province as a ‘wake-up call’ to all of us.

An Economic Reconstruction and Recovery period is now the focus, the Social Grant  ring extended to January 2019, and the UIF/TERS payment to employees extended by a month to mid-October. The Government wants to return the economy to full operation.

South Africans were requested to:

#  wear masks and adhere to social distancing at events, especially indoors, preferably being outside, or with windows open. He requested the nation to not let its guard down, and to preferably meet in small groups, and to avoid attending large events.

#   download the Covid Alert SA mobile app, to be alerted to Corona Virus infections close by.

The development of vaccines internationally as well as in our country is a sign of hope for the future.

The President announced the period of 25 to 29 November as a period of national mourning for all victims of Covid, as well as of Gender-based violence. Flags will fly at half mast.

BusinessTech has summarized the gazetted regulations following on from the President’s Speech:

‘Partial re-opening of borders

The 18 land borders which were partially operational, will be fully operational, and the 34 land borders which were closed, will remain closed.

Travelling to and from South Africa is allowed, subject to:

• The traveller providing a valid certificate of a negative test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel;
• In the event of the traveller’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveller will be required to quarantine him or herself at his or her own costs.

International air travel remains restricted to the following airports:

• OR Tambo International Airport:
• King Shaka International Airport;
• Cape Town International Airport.

The resumption of services for visa applications shall be determined in directions issued by minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi.

 

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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