Faizel Patel – 14/08/2020
Business group Sakeliga says they want a complete end to the COVID-19 lockdown, resumption of international travel and all other economic activity to get the country up and running again and to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
The country is awaiting President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation with the expectation that we could see an easing of lockdown regulations to level two.
Trade union federation Cosatu, part of the tripartite alliance has welcomed confirmation that the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is discussing easing the lockdown regulations.
At least two provincial governments including Gauteng and the Western Cape also believe it is time to reopen the economy and save jobs.
Sakeliga CEO Piet le Roux says President Ramphosa must scrap the Coronavirus lockdown as it has achieved its purpose.
“The lockdown should end. We expected the president to so some relaxation, but certainly not enough. They’ve been overreacting and lockdown is going to cost lives, it’s becoming a humanitarian disaster.”
Le Roux says while experts have warned that completely ending the lockdown will result in a second wave of COVID-19 infections, Sakeliga believes it will not require the kind of hospitalizations like when the pandemic first hit the country.
“The lockdown was never about curbing the spread of the virus. The lockdown was supposed to flatten the curve so that the hospitals could be ready. Everything is ready, nothing can be done anymore. The only thing we can try and do is prevent a humanitarian disaster and that’s unfolding before our eyes.”
Le Roux says he will support the call by provinces like Gauteng and the Western for a complete end to the lockdown as opposed to other provinces who may have not reached their COVID-19 peak as yet.
Listen to the interview with Piet le Roux
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