Here we go again
Apr. 23 – Today President Ramaphosa made the national address we’ve been waiting for since Tuesday and this is what we learned:
The lockdown will not be extended! Which is great, but before we get too excited, this doesn’t mean that things will be going back to normal. We will be having a phased approach to increased freedoms, which I think is a very smart.
The 5 level risk system will see different areas reviewed in terms of risk of outbreak and see a slow easing on restrictions. Currently we are in a level 5 risk, and after the lockdown ends on the 30th, we’ll be in a level 4. Depending on how that goes, we can either go to level 3, or back to a level 5 depending on rate of transmission.
South Africa has one of the strictest, if not the strictest lockdowns that I know of. Under level 5 we are not able to leave the house to exercise, stores can only sell essential items, alcohol and cigarette sales are banned, no restaurants are open even for delivery or pickup and public transportation including ubers and taxis were only allowed during rush hour.
Level 4 will allow us to:
- Leave the house for walks or exercise, as long as we wear a cloth mask and follow the rules of social distancing
- Buy items such as hardware supplies, winter clothing and heating, and other industry-related items
- Buy tobacco products
- E-hailing services are able to operate, while public transport is also limited
- Food delivery will be available, subject to the curfew
- A curfew will be in effect from 20h00 to 05h00 each day.
I’m really excited to be able to go for walks and not just taking the long way to the grocery store or be worried about getting stopped by security officers. And I think being able to have takeout would be amazing!
Borders still won’t be open, but I feel like the ability to get home is becoming more and more of a reality I can look forward to.
Sans Sandee 