When Did Level 5 Lockdown Start In South Africa?

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When Did Level 5 Lockdown Start In South Africa?

The COVID-19 Pandemic In South Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa is a component of the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic 2019 (COVID-19), which is brought on by coronavirus 2, causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2).

A male South African citizen who tested positive after returning from Italy was the first known patient, according to Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize’s confirmation on March 5, 2020.

Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, proclaimed a national state of disaster on March 15, 2020, and announced emergency travel restrictions and the closure of schools beginning on March 18.

The National Coronavirus Command Council was established on March 17 to oversee the country’s strategy for containing the coronavirus’s spread and reducing its harmful effects.

The Variants And Their Timelines

Local cases of the worrisome Alpha and Delta strains, which are more transmissible than the prevalent strain, Beta, which were initially discovered in India, were reported on May 8, 2021. The country was upgraded from modified alert level 1 to level 2 on May 31, 2021, due to the third wave of infections, most of which were caused by the Delta variety. The nation was elevated to level 3 of alert on June 15, 2021. The nation was raised to adjusted level 4 on June 28, 2021, and the Delta variation quickly became the predominant strain there. Doctors in Johannesburg reported the system at its breaking point, with insufficient beds and oxygen, on July 9, 2021, sixteen months into the pandemic. The nation was downgraded to adjusted level 3 on July 25, 2021. An adjusted alert level 2 went into effect on September 13, 2021, and on October 1, 2021, more limitations were relaxed by switching to an adjusted alert level 1.

President’s Address About The Phases Of Lockdown

On Thursday evening, April 23, President Cyril Ramaphosa gave a speech to the nation in which he said the country would gradually transition from five degrees of lockdown to normalcy. The President claims that the government will employ a risk-based policy, which entails that the government will approach easing present lockdown limitations deliberately and cautiously.

“We chose this strategy since it is still unclear how quickly and how the virus spreads among South Africa’s population. Therefore, the President remarked that the action we are doing today needs to be deliberate and gradual.

The President stated that firms would be permitted to restart operations gradually, but only once the workplace was ready to do so safely and responsibly. During level 4 limitations, just a third of the workforce will be permitted to return to work. Businesses are also encouraged, if practical, to use a “work-from-home” strategy. More information on the progressive reopening of educational institutions, including schools, will be provided by several ministers.

Ramaphosa also stated that sectors may still negotiate the reopening of their respective divisions.

Besides the ongoing repatriation of foreign nationals and South African citizens, the border will continue to be closed to international travelers. Except for funerals, the transfer of the right, and under extreme circumstances, no movement between provinces is permitted. Public transportation can still run with fewer people, but severe safety measures must be implemented.

Exercise will be permitted but only under very stringent guidelines. There is still no further clarification on this. People who are elderly or who have underlying medical concerns are asked to stay at home.

The Level 5 Lockdown Phase

To stop the virus’s spread and save lives, drastic measures are required:

Only necessary services are permitted.
No travel between provinces is permitted.
Public transportation is only available during specific hours of the day (with exceptional permission for funerals)