SA to move to Level 3 by the end of May – but Ramaphosa, warns that greater vigilance will be needed as regulations are relaxed

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that there will be a further easing of the lockdown and an increase in economic activity, and the country plans to move to Level 3 at the end of May.

Ramaphosa warned that more relaxations will come with a greater risk, as more people interact with one another, and greater vigilance will be required.

The new level will allow for a wider opening of the economy, but the government first has to meet with stakeholders in high risk areas to discuss the way forward.

The government will in due course announce further relaxations of Level 4 regulations, Ramaphosa said.

The President was addressing the nation as it entered the seventh week of an initially 21-day lockdown.

The government is adopting a risk-adjusted strategy when deciding on the extent of the lockdown.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa announced that the number of cases has jumped to 12 074, while the number of Covid-19 deaths has hit 219.

More than nine million people have been screened by community screeners, and more than 300 000 tests have been done as of today, Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa reiterated that the lockdown has been necessary for curbing the spread of the virus, adding that about 80 000 people could have been infected by now, and the death toll would have been about eight times higher if there was no lockdown.

He said the positivity rate – that is, the percentage of people testing positive out of the number of total tests – is relatively low, likely because of the lockdown and other restrictions.

“Although the virus has slowed down, it is still among us and will be for a very long time,” Ramaphosa said. “Our success in overcoming the virus will lie in the changes we make.”

“Hugging, shaking of hands and kissing are things of the past. Physical distancing must be observed. As restrictions are eased, we will need to observe social distancing even more stringently.”

The President said schooling and the work environment will also have to adapt.

Ramaphosa said there are more than 25 000 additional beds for quarantine across the country, and the government is making strides in procuring protective gear and supplies for medical staff.

The President said the government’s unemployment scheme has paid out some R11 billion to about two million workers.

He said about three million South Africans have applied for the government’s R350 social relief grant.

He reminded the public of the importance of practising good hygiene. Ramaphosa warned that lifting the lockdown too soon would end up in an outbreak.

Ramaphosa, said, meanwhile, that there has been an increase in gender-based violence during the lockdown. He said the regulations allowed for a woman to leave her home to report any acts of violence without fearing getting a fine.

– Kerushun Pillay

South Africa now has 11 350 cases of coronavirus, with 4 357 recoveries. The death toll remains at 206 for Tuesday.

In other top stories; you now have a bigger range of clothing and bedding to buy from under Level 4 lockdown; News24’s James de Villiers looks at what happens under Level 3 restrictions and how long until we get there; and nurses at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town protest over the lack of protective equipment.

See more of our top stories:

Here is the entire list of clothing and bedding you can now buy again under new Level 4 rules

As of Tuesday night South African retailers may sell a bigger range of clothes, and bedding, at Alert Level 4 – but only specific items that appear on a list.The new rules apply immediately and are specific to Level 4, said Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel in the Government Gazette.

EXPLAINER | Do we know when SA is dropping from Level 4, and what happens at Level 3?

As South Africa enters 48 days since the national lockdown was enforced, and 12 days since the country entered lockdown Level 4, many are asking when restrictions will be eased. 

This as a number of the country’s top scientists have argued that an extended lockdown will not serve well in the country’s response to the coronavirus any longer.

WATCH | Tygerberg Hospital staff protest over PPE, transport on International Nurses Day

A special event to commemorate International Nurses Day at Tygerberg Hospital was interrupted by protesting staff, who charge that they do not have adequate protective gear and are suffering with the expense of travelling to work during the lockdown.

Council for Medical Schemes chairperson dies of Covid-19 complications

The chairperson of the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) Dr Clarence Mini has died from Covid-19 complications, the council body confirmed on Tuesday.

“He had been in hospital for the past six weeks,” said a distraught Grace Khoza, general manager for stakeholder relations at the CMS.

Back to school: Only Gauteng and Western Cape ready to reopen – report

Education MECs representing Gauteng and Western Cape are the only ones who have indicated that they are ready to reopen schools.

According to TimesLIVE, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga met the Council of Education Ministers on Monday to discuss schools’ readiness to open their doors again under Level 4 of the lockdown, implemented to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.

‘Nothing good comes from alcohol’ – Cele says booze central in death of KZN teen ‘Bobo’ 

Police Minister Bheki Cele has again expressed his disdain for liquor, this time saying that it was at the centre of the death of KwaZulu-Natal teenager Andile “Bobo” Mbuthu.

Stay informed with News24 by having a look at our special hub for all the latest coronavirus numbers, news and helpful information.

– Compiled by Maxine Becket

Minister Lindiwe Zulu’s briefing summary:  

Minister Lindiwe Zulu promised on Monday to “tighten the screws” on the distribution of food and social grants as the country deals with the coronavirus outbreak.   Zulu said that temporary grants would be extended until the end of October and advised people to apply for social assistance.  

Sassa CEO Busisiwe Memela – Khambula said that 30% of the organisation’s workforce would return to work and warned that only those who qualify should apply for the additional grants.  

People who received other grants, UIF, or student aid do not qualify, she said, adding that applications would be checked against government databases to prevent fraud.  

“I know that our people like to take chances,” said Memela – Khambula.   Applicants will be required to submit ID number, name and surname as captured on ID, gender and disability, banking details, cellphone number, and while no proof of residential address is required a residential address is required.  

Of the 91 000 people who applied via WhatsApp, 11 000 were already on social grants and of 250 000 who applied via email, 50% were already receiving social grants.  

Zulu said that 525 029 food parcels have been distributed so far.

The number of people who travelled from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape during the inter-provincial grace period that have tested positive for Covid-19, has jumped to 137 from 80.

Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba announced the 57 new cases on Sunday morning.

She said the travellers had entered the provincial borders through Tsitsikamma and Aberdeen during the grace period for inter-provincial travel between 1 May and 7 May.

This had contributed to the province’s number of confirmed cases climbing to 1 078 as of Saturday night, she said.

Gomba revealed that the majority of the new positive cases were in the OR Tambo, Buffalo City, Amathole and Graaff-Reinet municipalities.

“Teams are now tracing and tracking their contacts using the newly handed over 4×4 bakkies, as those in Graaff-Reinet had also attended a funeral.”

READ | 200 Covid-19 cases linked to three Eastern Cape funerals

The MEC had previously raised concern over funeral services, which she deemed the worst spreaders of the virus.

Gomba said the rising number of positive coronavirus cases in the province was a cause for concern.

While concerned about the number of confirmed cases and deaths, there has also been some good news, Gomba said. This came as the province recorded 519 recoveries. Gomba attributed this to a dedicated team of health workers.

The issue of people moving from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape has even created tensions between the ANC- and DA-led provincial governments.

‘We are calling on people to be responsible citizens’

Last week, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane blamed the Western Cape government for the spike in cases. In return, Western Cape Transport Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela accused the Eastern Cape government of building a “Berlin Wall” which was harming effective cooperation.

Gomba said: “Because we cannot get to everyone who recently travelled from other provinces at the same time, we are calling on people to be responsible citizens and contact our 24-hour call centre on 08000 32364 so that they can be screened and tested if they have any of the symptoms consistent with Covid-19.”

She added: “We need everyone to play their part because people’s lives are at risk. If we all get infected by the coronavirus at the same time, our healthcare system will not cope and it will result in more deaths than could have been prevented,” said Gomba.

The MEC sent her condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the 21 people who have died in the province due to Covid-19.

“We feel their pain as this affects all of us. May their souls rest in peace.”

She revealed that there has also been a confirmed case at a retail store in Port St Johns.

Teams were following up in this case, she said.

She also announced that 110 people who were under quarantine in Mpekweni and Fish River in Port Alfred had been given a clean bill of health.

She said her department’s main priority is to stop the spread of the virus and for them to successfully do that, people need to stay at home, practise good personal hygiene by washing their hands with soap and water or sanitiser regularly. She also urged the public to practise social distancing and wear masks when going out to buy essentials or get medical help.