The release of the Amended Lockdown Regulations on Thursday was a missed opportunity by Government to ease some of the draconian regulations which have been in place since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown and level with South Africans on the future of the economy.
Government should have used the opportunity to announce the end to some of the illogical limitations on what can be sold in stores that are currently open and to announce the phasing in of critical sectors to get the economy going again.
While the DA supports the lockdown and the need for regulations which will save lives, we must acknowledge that a number of regulations will not necessarily assist in combatting the pandemic; will not make life easier for citizens; nor will it improve our dire economic prospects.
Government had an opportunity to revitalize the economy by re-introducing additional essential workers as many South Africans have not received a salary since the start of the lockdown. This places the country at risk of mass levels of hunger and social discontent.
It was therefore important that Government took the initiative to relax some regulations and make the following announcements, as per the DA’s Smart Lockdown model:
- In addition to our call that all goods in stores that are currently permitted to operate should be sold, the DA also proposes that:
- Cigarette sales should be allowed. The continued ban on cigarettes is illogical, unjustifiable and creating an illicit market worth Billions of rands, as well as a criminal network surrounding it. Cigarette sales will also reignite much-needed revenue into the ficus through taxes on sales.
- Off consumption retail outlets should be allowed to sell alcohol during the hard lockdown in accordance with a ‘squeeze and release’ model, which is guided by data modeling on testing and transmission rates. In the hard lockdown, this would restrict hours of sale from 10am – 3pm weekdays with a limit on stock to be bought. Further progression of sales is guided by the Smart Lockdown model.
- Re-open certain outlets such as hardware stores for personal us; stationery, book and electronic stores; and cell phone stores.
- It is also important that all retail outlets like food stores, pharmacies and hardware stores enable 1 hour of the day specifically for persons aged 60 and above as they are most at risk of infection.
- The re-opening of mines are a welcome development, not only for economic activity but also because they provide critical community services (e.g. water, electricity or sanitation) to local communities. The DA does, however, believe that it is critical that strict hygiene and physical distancing protocols are adhered to during mine operations. We propose the following:
- Underground communication must be rolled out with the use of “motorbike” style radios in order to reduce close interaction.
- While respirators would be extremely useful, it is unlikely that these would be available in the quantities required. At the very least, masks must be provided to all workers, and mine management must ensure compliance in wearing them.
- Where a mine has a confirmed case of Covid-19 where workers may have been exposed, that mine must immediately close its operations for a quarantine period of 14 days.
- While we welcome the fact that a number of outlets have been permitted to deliver essential groceries during this lockdown, restaurants and fast-food outlets have been completely overlooked. This is a critical sector jobs sector and the DA proposes that:
- Any restaurant or fast food outlet should be allowed to open their kitchens through a home delivery service.
- We have written to the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, to request that she makes urgent representations to her colleagues on the Executive to amend the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) lockdown regulations in order to include food and grocery delivery services.
- Since the lockdown began, according to the Manufacturing Circle, 64% of manufacturers have closed their production and 36% have reduced productive capacity by up to 75%. The net result on job losses will be extreme, with 87% of its membership stating that they would have to assess retrenchment in relation to the impact of the current lockdown. We need to breathe life into the local manufacturing sector and we therefore propose the following interventions:
- Manufacturing sectors should be opened and limited to the production of PPE, ventilators, medical equipment, maintenance equipment, textiles used for hospital purposes, agri-processing for time-bound products and food security.
- We need to urgent resume exports of our manufactured goods, both primary and secondary to generate foreign earnings.
- Transport to and from ports is necessary.
- Agriculture is the very lifeblood of our existence. If we fail to protect food security and keep open the agricultural chain of production, we face a national security crisis. The DA is of the view that:
- The agriculture sector must be allowed to continue as unhindered as possible during the lockdown.
- Transport of all agricultural goods must be essential, including the transportation of wine.
- Strict health protocols should be implemented to protect farm workers and those that are in the agriculture value chain.
We urge President Ramaphosa and his Cabinet to assess these proposals as South Africa urgently needs regulations that not only keep the nation safe and healthy but will also assist essential workers, re-introduce critical workers to the economy, increase access to wages and reduce the risk of mass hunger.