[HAPPENING NOW] Minister in the Presidency @JacksonMthembu_ opens a briefing now by the National Command Council on #coronavirus. He indicates the remarks to follow will provide further detail on level three regulations. He introduces Minister of COGTA Dr Nkosazana @DlaminiZuma.
Dlamini-Zuma says 84 days have lapsed since the first identified case of #coronavirus in South Africa and since then South Africa has been "led by the steady hand" of the President. She names scientists, among others, who have provided input.
"We have also benefited from the overwhelming support we have received from ordinary South Africans," says Dlamini-Zuma. She says they have "largely heeded the call to stay at home" and complied by washing hands, wearing masks, social distancing, etc.
"Indeed we have confirmed ourselves as a great, resilient nation and ubuntu," says Dlamini-Zuma, asserting that a nation's profile can be determined by how it treats its weakest. She speaks of the move to level three as announced by the President, and raises hotspots.
Dlamini-Zuma says level three will open production and allow the delicate balancing act of protecting citizens and opening the economy (please note I am paraphrasing here). She emphasises the increased responsibility which arises at alert level three.
[NOT VERBATIM] Dlamini-Zuma: Everyone entering a workplace must wear a mask, all public facilities must include sanitisers and all patrons must be screened. Prevention is a cornerstone of response. Only healthy communities and individuals can ensure health.
"We must also remain cognisant of the ever present danger of reversing the gains we have thus far recorded. In fact, the risk of a massive increase in infections is now greater than it has been since the alert of the start of the alert of the outbreak in our country," she says.
Dlamini-Zuma says that the "differentiated approach" and risk levels will be directed by the advice from the Minister of Health and inputs from the WHO, ministerial advisors and Cabinet members.
[EARLIER] "So, as we usher level three which will apply nationally from the first of June this year, the following areas are declared as hotspots," says Dlamini-Zuma. She then names of "potential" hotspots, adding "we are doing all we can to change the fortune of those areas.
Potential (comment: probable) hotspots Dlamini-Zuma has listed are: Tshwane, Johannesburg, Erkhuruleni, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela, Buffalo City, Cape Town, West Coast, Overberg, Cape Winelands District, Chris Hani District in the Eastern Cape, Ilembe District in KwaZulu-Natal.
Dlamini Zuma says, "What that means is that the Minister of Health may advise more stringent areas in some parts, in those areas depending on the spread of the virus. So far, we have only identified potential hotspots."
[MINUTES AGO] "In the event that our collective efforts bear little or no fruit such an area will require added efforts, including subjecting it to higher level restrictions, including the limitation of movements within and to and fro hotspots," says Dlamini-Zuma.
"In the areas that are not hotpots we will allow movement within the district and localities, permit movement to work, to buy, obtain goods and services, for medical attention, for exercise," says Dlamini-Zuma.
[NOTE] I am several minutes behind the live speech now, as I take care to transcribe accurately.
Dlamini-Zuma has said limited movement across provinces, between metros, districts and hotspots may be prohibited except for those traveling to start work, for work or business, in order to move residence, care for an immediate family member and attending funerals.
Dlamini-Zuma speaks of schools opening in a phased approach and says there will be open travel between provinces for pupils, students and teachers. She says some people live on provincial borders and have to commute "pretty much every day".
Dlamini-Zuma: The curfew will be lifted, and exercise time will increase, this is permitted as long as it is not done in organised groups, health protocols, social distancing and wearing masks is required.
[EARLIER] Public training, fitness and recreational facilities remain closed, says Dlamini-Zuma, except those conducting non-contact sport matches without spectators and the Minister of Arts, Culture and Sports will elaborate on this.
"We will have limit the number of people in the workplace," says Dlamini-Zuma emphasising a 1.5 metre difference between people in workplaces. She says restaurants, shebeens, taverns, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres, casinos, and similar will remain closed, food deliveries allowed.
Hotels, lodges and accommodation facilities will remain closed, says Dlamini-Zuma, except for those housing confined tourists who have been locked down, or for quarantine and isolation, and for people who are traveling of business and work. The Minister of Tourism will elaborate.
Legal spouses, partners of the deceased, children and grandchildren of the deceased (whether biological, adopted, stepchildren or foster children), siblings, and grandparents are permitted to travel for funerals, says Dlamini-Zuma.
[EARLIER] "This is a time when we should all join in meditation, in fellowship, in prayer. Consequently [...] we will have a national day of prayer, which will be on Sunday, but this will be praying at home or through virtual means," says Dlamini-Zuma.
Dlamini-Zuma describes consultation with religious sectors, religious counselling will be categorised as an essential service, she says it will enable millions who have been affected by this virus to receive professional attention the majority cannot otherwise afford.
Dlamini-Zuma describes requirements for religious gatherings of no more than 50 people under level three. Attendees must wear masks, sanitise hands, there must be no contact, there must be screening on arrival, a distance of 1.5 metres must be maintained between people.
Dlamini-Zuma says lived experience has shown that funerals are #COVID19 transmission vessels and, as a consequence, funeral attendee numbers will be limited to 50 people, provided protocols are adhered to during travel, etc.
Dlamini-Zuma names the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and says "interprovincial travel has contributed to community transmission" thus travel between provinces is not permitted (except for those with permits to attend a funeral, conduct essential services, work, business).
Dlamini-Zuma says people who travel from one province to another for work purposes they cannot travel to and fro between the week and weekend, as they could be carrying the virus. International ports of entry remain closed, except for those exempt for certain services.
"We will also permit domestic air travel at a date that will be determined by the Minister of Transport, and of course inter-provincial cargo for carrying imports, exports and goods manufactured in South Africa," says Dlamini-Zuma. "The health protocols still have to be kept."
[EARLIER] Dlamini-Zuma says those 60 and above, those who have co-morbidities, are encouraged to stay at home and only go out if it is absolutely necessary. If they have to work, it is preferable they work at home. She speaks of a higher mortality rate in those groups.
"Council meetings can take place but under strict protocols and social distancing," says Dlamini-Zuma. She describes mining and says that strengthening protocols is required, every company must have a COVID plan known by employer and employees, and a COVID compliance officer.
"That plan should be available when inspectors come or anyone comes to see and it must be adhered to," says Dlamini-Zuma. "It's for the protection both of the company and of the jobs that company offers," she adds.
Dlamini-Zuma: We did say it would not be smooth sailing, we will have to adjust our plans as we gain and gather our experience. Restrictions have hit South Africans hard, including those most vulnerable, and the homeless. Under level three the homeless will remain in shelters.
[NOTE] The following is not verbatim.
"We cannot afford to have many more in the streets," she says. Dlamini-Zuma raises rental income and says "we have inserted the possibility of a competent court to grant an eviction order provided it is just and equitable". She then notes tobacco product sales remain prohibited.
Dlamini-Zuma says, "The sale of tobacco, tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related products remain prohibited for this period except when they are destined for the export market."
"The sale of liquor in licensed premises will now be permitted as for the first of June [...] between Monday and Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00," says Dlamini-Zuma, on-site consumption is prohibited. E-commerce regulations for liquor trade will be detailed in time.
"In opening the economy we must maintain a firm eye on flattening the curve [...] we must remain conscious of the ever present danger that we can quickly reverse our gains if we act too hastily or irresponsibly," says Dlamini-Zuma.
[CATCHING UP] Dlamini-Zuma then speaks in isiZula. Mthembu introduces Minister of Trade and Industry, Ebrahim Patel to detail what industries are required to do to comply with government regulations under level three as of 1 July 2020.
Patel describes engagements over the proposed regulations, including meetings at Nedlac, discussions with social partners, provincial engagements, trade unions, individual sectors (auto, food, retail, clothing, chemicals, steel, saw milling), those in e-commerce and construction.
Patel describes an additional eight million or more workers going to work. "It means almost our entire workforce will be back at work," says Patel, adding a caution that those at risk (over 60, living with co-morbidities) and who can work at home continue working at home.
[EARLIER] "In level three it is a big shift [...] the list is restricted to only those parts of economic activity where the risk of infection is seen to be very high [...] where the one-and-a-half metre distance is difficult to maintain," says Patel.
"All the delivery services, live drive-thru and pick-up services, may be open. And you would also be able to go to the takeaways and fetch the hot foods," says Patel.
"If you go into the supermarket you will be able to pick up the grilled chicken," says Patel. "On-site consumption of liquor is not permitted, it is restricted," he adds.
"But all of these will have clear protocols to ensure that we don't have people all waiting at the same counter and we have risk of transmission," says Patel, with regard to hot food production and buying.
Patel says, "There are certain restrictions on hotels and guest lodges and backpackers and so on for recreational purposes [...] for business purposes it will be opened. If you need to travel for work purposes and you need to stay in a hotel that would be enabled."
Conferences and big events "like your big soccer, rugby and sports events" will not be open at level three, says Patel. He says engagements will continue to determine what can be opened at which levels, there will be ongoing discussions.
In the short-term things like hairdressing will be prohibited, says Patel, then expressing a will "to work with them immediately [...] to see what can be done to make those places safer [...] how can we ensure that those places, in due course, can open up?"
[PARAPHRASE] Patel says the business registration portal will no longer be operational from midnight on Sunday, as business, manufacturing and commerce will be opening up under level three.
Patel describes the reasons why alcohol was not permitted at level five and level four. Any reopening must be managed carefully, he says, after recording "extensive consultation" with the liquor industry, supermarkets, bottle stores, producers, taverns and more.
Patel says the liquor industry has agreed to address the risk of transmission at the shops, at the various places, and this will include the wearing of PPEs and masks. "We will issue a separate public statement containing the commitments the liquor industry has made, he says.
Patel emphasises the need to reinforce the message of workplace health and safety. This, after describing and praising different sectors and workers. He concludes. Next, Mthembu opens the floor for a QnA.
Mthembu says Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ronald Lamola, is also present as he was involved in drafting the regulations and Lamola is present to answer questions. The floor opens.
[NOT VERBATIM] Journalists Various raise various questions, including one on prevailing ban on tobacco product sales (with no money going to the State, and sales ongoing illegally) and another on what scientific evidence informed the decision to ban the sale of tobacco products.
"We have not unbanned," says Mthembu. "Definitely we have not lifted the ban on tobacco [...] all those are decisions of the NCC [...] the NCC and Cabinet," he continues.
[KINDLY NOTE] My ears are not so sharp and my fingers not so fast that I catch absolutely everything in live briefings. Askies. I have followed the briefing intent to provide information to the public. Inevitably what I reflect can never be exhaustively comprehensive. Thanks!
A question on exercising on the beach and surfing follows. Mthembu invites replies to the questions. Lamola answers on an SIU report, "It is indeed on our desk for processing [...] there are legalities that need to be fulfilled, that is what we are currently dealing with."
Lamola says of exercise (training) times, "In terms of the regulations [...] it's from six in the morning and six in the evening [...] the issue of the compliance by members of the public [...] the regulations place more responsibilities on the individuals themselves."
"The police comes in at the stage that there is clear non-compliance by members of the public," says Lamola. "If people are not complying then police will have to enforce the law in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Lamola says people must take responsibility for themselves, their health and others. Patel answers next on alcohol sales, which must be the sale of sealed containers for off-site consumption.
Patel says, "Where will alcohol be permitted to be sold? Will it only be permitted at the large supermarkets and bottle stores? And the answer is, 'No.'"
Patel: The regulations themselves would permit alcohol to be sold at any premises carrying a licence, whether that license is for on consumption or off consumption but the condition of the sale is that it can only be sold in sealed containers for consumption at home.
[MINUTES AGO] "So, no one can consume it on premises. So, to make that a bit more practical it would allow taverns and registered shebeens and restaurants and so on to also sell alcohol but subject to the condition [...] the consumer has to take it away from that premises."
Patel says liquor is regulated by both national government and the provinces. "So, we met with the MECs responsible for liquor in the different provinces," he notes, and says those MECs will now engage with the local liquor boards.
Mining, retail, factories and other places have recorded an increase in #coronavirus infections, this poses an "enormous" risk, says Patel. Compliance is not uniform. He says each workplace must be clear on what needs to be done to ensure health and safety, disinfection, etc.
"The practice depends on monitoring and compliance," says Patel. He describes engagements with shop stewards and workplaces. "Every workplace must have a COVID compliance officer," he says, repeating what Dlamini-Zuma said earlier.
Next, Dlamini-Zuma speaks in reply to questions. She says she cannot say when South Africa will go to level two, but it may be that some areas will go to level two sooner than others. "We can't tell right now [...] when we will be able to go to level two," she says.
[EARLIER] Dlamini-Zuma continues, "For now, we are all going to level three, whether we are in hotspots where more stringent measures may be [...] announced." She adds on exercise it must not be done in groups, there must be social distancing, people must wear masks.
On cigarettes Dlamini-Zuma says, "If people are doing anything criminal about cigarettes, the law must take its course." Beyond that, she says, on cigarettes and the rationale for banning smoking the matter is before court and matters will be aired in court.
[EARLIER] Dlamini-Zuma says strict protocols must be followed when people go to church. "People who are over 60 are encouraged not to go to church, just as they are encouraged not to go to work," says Dlamini-Zuma, and govt. isn't forcing people to go to church, it's optional.
Mthembu says at 17:00 today there will be a JCPS briefing with several ministers and tomorrow at 10:00 there will be a social briefing, which will include input on health, education and sports. Tomorrow afternoon, the economic cluster will hold a briefing.
Lamola says all gatherings are prohibited except for those gatherings specifically allowed, under strict conditions, in the regulations: faith-based gatherings, funerals, workplace gatherings for work, agricultural auction, forms of gatherings for professional non-contact sports.
On the last category of gatherings for professional non-contact sports, the Minister of Arts and Culture and Sport is set to elaborate on what this means. He will be at the social cluster briefing tomorrow.
Patel says domestic workers can return to work, provided strict health and safety protocols are complied with, and there may be a need for further pronouncements on what these may be. "Even as domestic workers return it's absolutely vital that it [...] can be done so safely."
Hot food collections from restaurants where you place an order and collect are permitted under level three of the #NationalLockdown, says Patel.
[EARLIER] "If we can keep people moving quickly, if the store owners can disinfect the services, if some drive-thru arrangements and curb-side delivery arrangements are used all of those can help to reduce the risk," says Patel.
"We can't eliminate risk completely. The virus will spread. It's how to avoid it spreading so fast that it overwhelms the healthcare system and that is what we are seeking to do," says Patel.
"There are some sectors where more work needs to be done [...] we need to learn from level three [...] but most economic activities" will be open under level three, says Patel.
A recurring message during the briefing, as indicated by both Lamola and Patel: level three puts more responsibility on the public.
Another round of questions follows. Mthembu and Dlamini-Zuma comment on the provision for domestic workers' return to work under level three regulations. Domestic workers may return to work.
A question is raised: will weddings be allowed under level three? Another question on professional sports matches. Mthembu says the Minister of Arts, Culture and Sport will answer that one. A further question on why hairdressers aren't being allowed to work under level three.
"Weddings for level three are not allowed yet but people can get married, it is just the wedding celebration [...] as far as I know [...] you can get a certificate [...] the party [...] is not yet allowed," says Dlamini-Zuma.
On hair and beauty industries, Dlamini-Zuma says, "There are discussions with salons and with other industries to look at how, because there is no social distancing, so we are looking at what other measures can be taken to mitigate [...] the discussion is going on."
When cutting someone's hair or doing their nails you cannot maintain a 1.5 metre distance, says Dlamini-Zuma, adding discussions on how to mitigate risks in those workplaces are ongoing.
"Once that matter is resolved the matter will then be concluded and they will probably be opened [...] there may be what we call enhanced level three [...] more regulations can be put in place to enhance the ones that we have," says Dlamini-Zuma.
"We are looking here for simplified ways of doing things but that letter employers give out to workers would still be in the regulations," says Patel in reply to a question on permits. On travel between provinces, he says regulations set out what's permitted under level three.
Patel says, "We will see a significant increase in travel between provinces. Our key concern is to ensure that when we have a hotspot that the infection rates out of that hotspot don't affect the surrounding places and other parts."
"So, a measure of caution is still necessary until we are able to dampen down all of the key hotspots," continues Patel. "In some of the larger hotspots, in Cape Town for example, the rate of infection is significantly higher than the rest of the country."
[EARLIER] Patel continues, "And if that level of infection had to be obtained everywhere in the country it would place our healthcare system under such severe strain there won't be enough hospital beds everywhere in the country to manage that."
On notice about hotspots, Patel says "we are looking at: what is the rate of infection" and has it stabilised? Medical teams are being dispatched, healthcare workers are being sent to do screening, closer work with local authorities is underway.
"If those don't work, then we just have use more tools in the toolbox, it gets escalated. How much notice will be given? But it depends really on how serious the challenge is," says Patel. "We've got to keep a degree of flexibility in the approach that we take," he adds.
"We need to do everything possible to reduce the spread of the infection, so it's a combination: do things that lower the spread. At the same time, build more capacity to manage a greater number of South Africans who will be COVID positive," says Patel. Mthembu invites questions.
[EARLIER] Among the last round of questions: one on parks and beaches. Another seeking clarity on evidence related to the decision to open places of worship.
Mthembu says, "I think the way the [level three] regulations and the directions stand now, is that we can visit our families in the neighbourhood. The only problem is when we must go beyond the province and district and the metro where we live [...] these are not normal times."
"Ultimately we must all adapt to these times, all of us," says Mthembu. He describes a need for a change in behaviour. "The measures that we are taking [...] are meant to save lives, ultimately [...] they are not just a nuisance to our people, no [...] we have a responsibility."
Lamola speaks of hotspots and says "we are grappling with the issue" of how to minimise the risks that hotspots transfer the virus to other areas which are not hotspots. He indicates as information and data becomes available, things may be further differentiated by area.
Mthembu says updates will continue. He describes broad consultation with traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, political leaders and so on. "We have indeed been given the necessary green light by many stakeholders," he says.
"Government won't be able to police over 57 million people in our country," says Mthembu, adding the responsibility to protect the self, family and community lies on the shoulders of the individual.
The NCC briefing concludes. Phew!
