It’s tough - but it’s for the best. South Africa, confronted by 402 confirmed Corona virus by Monday March 23, has declared nationwide lockdown effective Thursday March 26 midnight until April 16. South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announced 21-day lockdown and outlined range of dramatic interventions, including not allowing individuals to leave their homes except under strictly controlled circumstances, such as to seek medical care, buy food, medicine and other supplies or collect a social grant.
news
March 23, 2020
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
Covid-19 LOCKDOWN!
President Cyril Ramaphosa
This may be the better of the two evils. It was always a toss between two very difficult decisions: either a ‘partial lockdown’ or a ‘complete lockdown’. It turned out to be a three-week – 21 days - lockdown.
It cannot be expected of government to make perfect decisions. What is expected is for government to act decisively; and that is what government did. After extensive deliberations, based on what they know, they took the best decision under the circumstances. We must make the best of it.
A three-week lockdown can be regarded as a balancing act between containment of the virus, protection of South Africans and measures aimed at fortifying the economy against the inevitable disruption to manufacturing, productivity, growth and employment - as per the President’s Monday message.
Enjoy our daily newsletter from today
Access exclusive newsletters, along with previews of new media releases.
Some may argue that this measure amounts to an overreaction. However, taking cognisance of the situation in Italy, the current global epicenter of the pandemic, this seems not to be the case. The Italians blame inaction regarding restriction of movement and a lack of appreciation of the seriousness of the pandemic, as the reasons for the life and death predicament they find themselves in.
Business will have to work with what they have been presented with. Firstly, many SMMEs cannot shoulder this financial burden alone; it is to be shared between government, business and workers.
The President has given an undertaking that certain measures will be implemented to soften the blow for employers and employees alike. The details of these interventions have not been disclosed but are expected within days. However, due to the government’s fiscal constraints, there is not much government can do to alleviate the plight of those affected.
Of concern is: what if, three weeks from now, we haven’t achieved the desired result? What happens if the infection curve shows a downward trend during the lockdown period, but increases again thereafter? What then?
It is, however, not for us to answer this question now. What we have is three weeks in which we ALL have to make the best of this dire situation.
Tailored for you
