On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaposa made it clear it was always possible to reverse the easing of the lockdown back to Level 4 or even Level 5 if the spread of coronavirus is not contained. Hotspots, like the metros, are on two-week terms.
But given the economic devastation of the Covid-19 hard lockdown in Level 5 and Level 4, it was the pragmatic option to ease the whole country to Level 3. The metros are centers of economic productivity.
Estimates, from economists, the National Treasury to the South African Reserve Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, show between one to three million job losses and the contraction of an already ailing economy of between 5.8% to 6.1% due to the Covid-19 hard lockdown.
Tax collection boss Edward Kieswetter did not mince his words to lawmakers, telling them the Covid-19 hard lockdown would cost South Africa R285-billion.
But although the ban on cigarettes alone cost the national purse R664-million in lost sin taxes over 29 days in April, as parliamentarians have been told, this was a cost that was officially deemed acceptable.
All of South Africa moves to Covid-19 lockdown Level 3 on 1 June, including coronavirus hotspot metros such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, and eThekwini, although they were warned the government is keeping a close watch.
All manufacturing, mining, and construction can fully reopen from 1 June, alongside financial, professional and business services, including IT. Wholesale and retail trade will open, as will all spaza shops and informal traders.
Sectors previously opened, such as agriculture and food production, remain open. Restaurants, shisanyamas and such may open only for delivery, and now also collection of food.
Exercise is allowed anytime, anywhere – just not in groups. Domestic business air travel will be phased in. Announcements on this will be made as part of a swathe of details such as the conditions, times and days of sales of alcohol for home consumption
Crucially, the 8pm to 5am curfew that was introduced in lockdown Level 4 will also go. It was being challenged in court, as are details of the regulations for what has been described as one of the most draconian Covid-19 lockdowns worldwide.
