Will Level 4 be extended? NCCC set to ‘review’ regulations on Sunday

The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is set to meet on Sunday, 11 July to review the level 4 lockdown restrictions and regulations. Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed.

South Africa was placed on adjusted lockdown level 4 for two weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19 as cases were soaring throughout the country. Currently, the sale of alcohol is banned, gatherings are not allowed (social, religious and political) and sit downs are not allowed in restaurants. The regulations are coming to an end on Sunday 11 July.

‘LEVEL 4 REGULATIONS LIKELY TO BE EXTENDED’

Chair of Social Security Systems Administration and Management Studies at Wits University Professor Alex van den Heever told The South African on Friday, that the Level 4 restrictions would most likely be extended as the levels of transmission remain high. 

“The Level 4 restrictions will be extended as the levels of transmission remain high, even though Gauteng may have peaked. Other provinces are also still on the rise,” he said. 

Nearly two weeks ago, Ramaphosa said that after deliberations with the Ministerial Advisory Committee and further consultation with provinces and metros and traditional leaders, and on the recommendation of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), Cabinet decided that the country should move to Adjusted Alert Level 4.

Regarding a possible extension, Ramaphosa said; “We will assess the impact of these interventions after 14 days to determine whether they need to be maintained or adjusted.”

TimesLIVE reported that there seems to be an attempt to ‘review’ restrictions now. However, this is likely to be a mechanical exercise as all indications are that the status quo will remain, with room remaining open for additional restrictions as COVID-19 infection numbers are still escalating.

STATE OF COVID-19 IN SA

South Africa is currently batting the Delta variant that is dominant in Gauteng.

The following confirmed COVID-19 cases have been recorded in each province as of Thursday 8 July

• Eastern Cape – 211 852 cases, 12 038 deaths;
• Free State – 118 595 cases; 5 341 deaths;
• Gauteng –  741 164 cases; 14 133 deaths;
• KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) – 365 442 cases; 10 831 deaths;
• Limpopo – 87 371 cases; 2 827 deaths;
• Mpumalanga – 103 031 cases; 1 535 deaths;
• North West – 106 251 cases; 2 535 deaths;
• Northern Cape – 61 044 cases; 1 443 deaths;
• Western Cape – 340 496 cases, 12 816 deaths; and
• Unallocated –  0 cases, 0 deaths.