National state of disaster Western Cape 60 years and older herd immunity

Photo: @alanwinde / Twitter

How the Western Cape plans to ‘get the balance right’ if The National State of Disaster ends

The extension of the National State of Disaster is imminent. Before that happens Winde wants President Ramaphosa to consult the provinces.

National state of disaster Western Cape 60 years and older herd immunity

Photo: @alanwinde / Twitter

The Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde, who has long been calling for the end of the National State of Disaster, said he wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 7 October. Winde wants the Ramaphosa to give the leaders of the country’s nine provinces his ear before, inevitably, extending the state of disaster, which is expected to take place on 15 October.

WINDE WANTS RAMAPHOSA TO CONSULT PROVINCES BEFORE EXTENDING STATE OF DISASTER

Winde said he asked the government to be transparent about its proposed roadmap – the exit plan for leaving the national state of disaster – which has not yet been made public or shared with provinces.

“It is only fair on our residents, and especially our job-creating businesses, that this clarity is provided. We cannot be in a state of disaster forever, and we need to have a clear plan for its termination,” said Winde. The Premier added that transparency would add “much needed” confidence to the economy.

Winde disclosed the Western Cape government’s five-point plan for a post-state of disaster society. It reportedly seeks to find the balance between saving lives and the economy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

  1. “We must end the National State of Disaster to grow the economy and create jobs.
  2. We must enable Provincial and Local Government responses through an established traffic-light warning system, based on pre-determined measures of the health platform capacity. This will enable provincial, differentiated approaches in the future based on a provincial government’s capacity to respond to increased pressures.
  3. We must maintain healthcare capacity by increasing budget allocations to Provincial Governments. This will enable maintenance of standby field hospital capacity, healthcare worker capacity and oxygen capacity should it be required in the future.
  4. We must empower people by continuing with behaviour change campaigns that provide knowledge on non-pharmaceutical safety practices. Residents must be given the agency to protect themselves and others.
  5. We must increase vaccinations through more pop-up and satellite vaccination sites, which work better by improving convenience and access. This approach should be supported by the National Government.”

Winde said cooperative governance is a vital principle of the country’s constitutional democracy and therefore the provinces – and their plans – should be consulted before the state of disaster is extended.

“We trust that the President will treat this request as a genuine attempt to get the balance right in saving both lives and jobs in our country, and in line with the principles enshrined in the Constitution.”

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