COGTA MEC unpacks level 4 COVID-19 restrictions

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Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma says COVID-19 offers South Africans an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of some long agreed-upon structural changes to enable reconstruction, development and growth.

She was unpacking the key changes to life as South Africans have become accustomed to at a media briefing on Saturday as the country prepares to move from the highest stage of alert, Level 5, to a slightly relaxed Covid-19 alert level, namely Level 4, from Friday 1 May.  

The Minister warned that the danger of slipping back and steepening the curve is high and ever present. Consequently, in this upcoming phase Government will continue to limit travel and movement and will institute a curfew where everyone has to be in doors between 8pm and 5am except for essential workers.

Consequently:

1)    there will be no interprovincial travel except to return to work with proof of employment, in exceptional circumstances such as funerals (with approval) or for essential services.

2)    there will be no recreational travel or to meet friends and family.

3)    we must maintain social distancing and have implemented a mandatory use of cloth masks, which can be home made and made from scarfs and/or t-shirts.

Further, in this next phase the country remains in lockdown therefore:

(1)  No domestic passenger air travel;

(2)  No international air and sea passenger travel except in the case of air travel for repatriation purposes;

(3)  No public gatherings, organised social and recreational activities with the exception of the current format and protocols of funerals.

However, people can exercise under strict conditions subject to directions which will exclude organised activities recreational facilities and gyms.

The Minister noted that industries are encouraged to adopt a work-from-home strategy where possible, and all staff who can work remotely must be allowed to do so.

Additionally, employers must put in place workplace protocols for surveillance, risk assessment and prevention for the spread of infection. This includes measures to ensure that:

1. There are stringent social distancing measures in the workplace, including in shared spaces such as shop floors, meeting rooms and canteens;
2. All employees are screened staff on a daily basis for symptoms of COVID-19, including a symptom check as well as temperature assessment;
3. All employees use cloth masks in transit and to the workplace;
4. All workspaces and tools of trade are sanitized and there is sanitisers available or hand washing facilities with soap;
5. There is adequate ventilation in the workplace.

Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma concluded that Government recognises that all sectors and firms need to work to grow the economy, however economic activities must be carefully phased in in a manner that protects the country’s future.

“We are looking particularly for feedback on key issues we may not have considered or ways to enhance the system without increasing the level of risk, movement and the numbers of people who are not at home. This feedback window is open for the next 48 hours, with a deadline of midday on Monday. Representations must be sent to the following email address, nervecentre@cogta.gov.za using the prepared template that will be published on the Government website,” she said.