South Africans have no reason to be complacent or celebrate following removal of the Level 3 coronavirus lockdown restrictions starting on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned on Monday.
Speaking during his weekly message to the nation, the president told his compatriots not to let their guard down by failing to observe health and safety protocols because the country was still a long way from eradicating the pandemic.
He encouraged South Africans to continue observing such restrictions as social distancing, the wearing of masks and other protocols in restaurants and other public places which have been given the greenlight to reopen under Level 2 lockdown on Tuesday.
“It is a sign of the progress we are making in reducing new infections and demand on our health facilities. It is also a very important development as we strive to restart our economy. But it is too soon to celebrate,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “With this Level 2 comes increased risk of transmission. We now need to manage this risk and ensure the gains we have made thus far — in containing the pandemic’s spread — are not reversed.”
According to Ramaphosa, “the greatest threat to the health of the nation right now is complacency.”
“It may be that we are now permitted to meet friends and family, to visit entertainment venues, to travel for leisure and to consume alcohol in restaurants, bars and taverns.”
He cautioned his compatriots, noting that ‘Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should’,” the president said.
The president reiterated that many people who have the coronavirus did not have symptoms and might not even know they were infected.
“This is a sobering reality because it means that any of us could be infected right now and could unwittingly infect others.
“This is particular the case when visiting relatives, especially the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, that render them vulnerable to infection. It is also true for attending religious services or cultural activities,” he said.
NM/jn/APA