South Africa Planning to Reopen its Economy Strategically amid Lockdown

South Africa Planning to Reopen its Economy Strategically amid Lockdown
South Africa

Since the coronavirus originated from Wuhan, the cases around the globe have been increasing daily. The coronavirus affected mostly the European countries as cases slowly surge in the African continent. South Africa plans to reopen its economy strategically as discussed in this article.

Governments around the world rolled out measures to mitigate the impacts of the disease. Increasing cases have affected the global economy as we witness millions of people losing their jobs.

However, despite the severe impacts of coronavirus, countries such as Germany and South Africa are relaxing their restrictions to reopen their economies. South Africa has over 3900 cases of coronavirus, 75 fatalities, and thousands of recoveries.

Before the coronavirus hit the lands of South Africa, its economy was declining as the unemployment rate rose to 30%. The severity of the coronavirus that caused SA’s first fatality, led to the authorities declaring a nationwide lockdown measure for 21 days.

This forced many businesses to close down as economists predicted a further decline of the nation’s economy.

Casual Sequence

This refers to a state whereby one event leads to another event happening. In this case, the decision of the authorities declaring a lockdown might lead to more crimes as everyone is fighting for survival.

A domestic worker from Zimbabwe says, “I can’t clean in the house as I usually do because of the lockdown. I have no money now and I am starving here in South Africa and my family has nothing to eat back home either.”

Indeed, the situation under lockdown doesn’t seem to be good enough as people are suffering. Earlier this week, the authorities organized over 70000 more troops to aid maintain the lockdown measure.

More citizens complained about the lockdown as police brutality increased significantly.

Economy In South Africa

As the lockdown period is approaching its completion, the government of South Africa is implementing strategies on how to reopen its economy. Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African President, declares lifting limitations in stages as only essential businesses to open at each phase.

The purpose of lifting restrictions in stages is to avoid a rupture of a 2nd wave of the coronavirus disease in the country. As the businesses are reopening, the president encourages traders to continue observing health and safety measures to prevent exposing people to risks.

Businesses that are not essential are to remain closed for a while before the authorities make a solid decision. The government will start by moving from level 5 to level 4 until they are ready for level 1.

Mining and manufacturing industries are to partly reopen as industries of agriculture, financial, and telecommunication return wholly. The authorities will maintain restrictions on restaurants, cinemas, bars, sporting, cultural, and religious activities. The president further encourages citizens to stay at home and observe self-isolation.

The World Health Organization Comments On South Africa Efforts

The World Health Organization gives South Africa praises for showing their skills in containing the virus until the curve is flattening now. The country deployed over 28000 medical workers, who are trained in testing and contact tracing, all over the nation.

The medical workers have tested over 128000 people and monitored millions of people. Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s emergency agenda, comments positively on SA’s efforts in controlling coronavirus.

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