Africa-Press – South-Africa. The DA says Level 1 Covid-19 restrictions in effect in South Africa should be scrapped because they are causing harm to the economic recovery of the country.
Although the government has eased several restrictions, such as those on gatherings and schooling, the country remains in a state of disaster.
Whether or not South Africa can opt out of the state of disaster is a matter that has caused much political debate, with President Cyril Ramaphosa saying that the issue is under consideration.
The opposition party, however, has pointed to low Covid-19-related deaths, immunity from past infection and vaccinations as proof that the epidemic is over.
DA leader John Steenhuisen says businesses can’t operate optimally due to the restrictions.
Steenhuisen says mask-wearing and social distancing are no longer necessary to curb the spread of Covid-19 because the virus has stabilised over the past few months.
In other countries, including the UK, restrictions have been relaxed or scrapped. Some countries have chosen caution before widely removing the restrictions.
Steenhuisen says South Africa has to do the same.
“Cases of Covid-19 are not a disaster if people are not getting very sick nor dying. This is why European countries have opened up, even with high cases. The only state of disaster that the country is in is the self-imposed one caused by ongoing restrictions which do more harm than good,” the DA leader has said.
He has pointed to the dire impact of the restrictions on the tourism industry.
Travellers have to show negative PCR tests for entry into the country.
This places pressure on possible visitors, and instead, proof of vaccination should be enough to allow visitors, Steenhuisen has added.
He says the lack of spectators at sporting events and the barring of nightlife businesses, such as nightclubs, is unfair.
Steenhuisen said:
“This means many places are still operating on reduced or rotational staff, with lowered productivity all round. It means employees with comorbidities are still “working from home” even if the nature of their job actually requires contact with the public.
“People are wasting time in queues and waiting for services. As usual, this is affecting the poor disproportionately, as the poor rely more heavily on government services,” Steenhuisen had added.
At a press briefing on Friday, Minister of Health Joe Phaahla said his department would recommendations to the National Coronavirus Command Council on new regulations to replace the use of the National Management Act.
Did you know you can
listen to articles?
Subscribe to News24 for access to
this exciting feature and more.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
