RAMAPHOSA INTRODUCES CORONAVIRUS ALERT LEVELS

Today, 23 April 2020, the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on government’s response to the coronavirus going forward. The South African government implemented a National Lockdown 5 weeks ago. The lockdown was initially for 21 days and was later extended for a further 2 weeks. The lockdown is scheduled to come to an end next week Thursday.

However, the government has decided that from Thursday, 30 April 2020, a gradual and phased recovery of the economy will begin. The government will implement a “risk adjusted and cautious approach in easing of lockdown restrictions.”

Although the National Lockdown has worked in containing the virus. The President acknowledged that it can not be sustained indefinitely “Our people need to eat. They need to earn a living. Companies need to produce and trade, they need to generate revenue and keep their employees in their employment”.

On the advise of scientists, an approach of ‘coronavirus levels’ based on the direction of the pandemic in the country will be implemented. There will be 5 coronavirus levels:

Level 5 means that drastic measures are required to contain the spread of the virus and save lives (i.e Lockdown- we are currently in Level 5)

Level 4 means that some activity can be allowed to resume subject to extreme precautions required to limit community transmissions and outbreaks. (Country will be on Level 4 from Friday 1st May 202)

Level 3 involves easing of some restrictions, including on work and social activities.

Level 2 easing of restrictions but maintenance of physical distancing and restrictions on some leisure and social activities

Level 1 most normal activity can resume, with precautions followed.

They will be a National Level and seperate levels for each province, district and metro in the country. The National Coronavirus Command Council will determine the alert level based on infection rate and health system capacity.

The relevant Ministers will provide detailed briefing on the classification of industries and how each is affected at each level. All industry bodies will be given an opportunity to make submissions before new regulations are enforced.

As usual, KAE News will give you updates on the Alert Levels specifically for KAE (Kaalfontein, Allandale, Ebony Park) and surrounding areas of Ivory Park, Mayibuye, Rabie Ridge and Midrand. KAE falls under the City of Johannesburg which is the municipality with the highest number of cases in the country at 726. Within the City of Johannesburg, KAE is in Region A and at the time of publishing the region which includes Diepsloot, Kya Sands, Dainfern, Ivory Park and Midrand had 73 COVID-19 confirmed cases.

The public is encouraged to continue practising social distancing, washing hands and stay home. If we adhere to health guidelines the government won’t be forced to implement drastic measures and will lower the our alert level.