Ramaphosa: End of the beginning
As expected, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Wednesday night that he will move the country to Alert Level 1, on September 20, which further relaxes restrictions on the movement and economic activity of South Africans.
Ramaphosa hinted that such a move was on the cards last week during a virtual press conference after he was asked if the government was considering it, given the reduction in the rate of new Covid-19 infections.
Under Level 1, the country’s borders to varying degrees will start to reopen, restaurants can operate at increased capacity, up to 100 people may attend a funeral and from October 1, travel into and out of South Africa will be allowed.
Listen: Borders need to open as soon as possible – Airline Association of Southern Africa
As usual, Ramaphosa provided broad guidelines of what will happen under Level 1, and said he would leave it to his ministers to spell out the specifics.
Aside from the relaxing of restrictions, the move to Level 1 also coincides with the reconstruction and recovery plan, which is to be announced in the coming weeks.
Deals in the making
The plan is part of “ambitious social compact for economic recovery” being developed at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), an institution that facilitates discussions between the government, trade unions, business and community organisations on labour and development issues.
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