On Friday, South Africa’s health minister stated that he would not recommend a relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown measures despite a downward trend in infections. He also stated that the country of 60 million had fully vaccinated around 4 million people as a wave of infections driven by the more infectious Delta variant strains over-burdened hospitals and health workers. Joe Phaahla told a media briefing, “Our situation therefore remains precarious… We will be recommending remaining at Level 3.”
In an effort to stimulate the economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa had eased restrictions last month to an adjusted ‘Level 3’ in a five-level system as infections started declining. It means people can travel between provinces for leisure and retail outlets may sell alcohol from Monday to Thursday.
