Eskom load shedding state of disaster

DA leader, John Steenhuisen.
Photo: Courtney Africa/African News Agency(ANA)

DA wants ‘flexibility’ on some Level 3 lockdown restrictions

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to ease some of the Level 3 lockdown restrictions

Eskom load shedding state of disaster

DA leader, John Steenhuisen.
Photo: Courtney Africa/African News Agency(ANA)

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has said that the best way South Africa can navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, outside of a vaccine, would be to limit the damage from lockdown restrictions by taking a more differentiated approach.

DA leader John Steenhuisen has criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the country staying on Alert Level 3 of the Lockdown, with some amended restrictions.

“South Africa is effectively bankrupt. We cannot afford to support businesses and jobs affected by restrictions. So, we therefore don’t have the luxury of restricting the good with the bad,” Steenhuisen said.

“We need a differentiated, preventive approach rather than the current blunt instrument of uniform strategy across the country. The blanket ban approach destroys lives and livelihoods unnecessarily and it distracts and diverts law enforcement resources to areas that don’t make a difference at the expense of areas that do”

DA leader John Steenhuisen

The so-called family meeting comes as South Africa reported a record spike in daily coronavirus cases and deaths just recently and follows consultations with the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), which governs the current lockdown.

Most of the measures he announced on 28 December 2020, will remain in place – including the ban on gatherings.

The curfew has however been adjusted to 21:00 until 05:00 – while wearing a mask in public still remains compulsory.

Another contentious lockdown restriction which remains in place is the ban on alcohol sales and on-site consumption – this has paid off as healthcare workers have reported less trauma cases in hospitals due to alcohol, making them more productive in the fight against COVID-19.

Lockdown Level 3: The DA’s suggestions to government

  • Allow provincial/district flexibility between level 2 and level 3, depending on the level of pressure on hospitals
  • To take pressure off trauma facilities and reduce superspreader events, target alcohol restrictions where the real risks are, but allow low-risk alcohol-related trading.
  • Lift the beach ban to bring relief to coastal economies, as the chance of overcrowding is unlikely due to the festive period being over
  • Lift the curfew
  • Further limiting gatherings where necessary

The DA has also called on Ramaphosa to give clarity on the 20 million COVID-19 vaccine doses which are headed to our shores, particularly on where they are coming from and when they can be expected.