Speculations Abound About Extension of Lockdown Adjusted Level 4 This Weekend
- Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa says a large number of businesses will remain closed despite adjusted Level 4 regulations being reviewed this weekend
- The two-week adjusted Level 4 lockdown period is coming to an end this weekend and some changes are expected
- An economic expert says regulations placed on the liquor and hospitality sectors will most likely remain in place
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In the Government Gazette published on Tuesday, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa stated that a decision will be made in regard to South Africa's current lockdown status of adjusted Level 4 this weekend.
South Africa was placed under a two-week adjusted lockdown on 26 June by President Cyril Ramaphosa due to concerns of the increasing Covid-19 infections, according to The Citizen.
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Mthethwa stated that businesses such as gyms, fitness centres and cinemas will remain closed without exceptions, according to BusinessTech.
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Attending churches, political gatherings, social gatherings and faith-based events have been prohibited. Attending such gatherings is a criminal offence and offenders could face up to six months in prison.
However, Mthethwa added that restrictions placed on faith-based gatherings will remain in place until Sunday, 11 July and will be reviewed.
Chief economist at Bureau for Economic Research at Stellenbosch University Hugo Pienaar says irrespective of the dire impact lockdown regulations has on the liquor, hospitality and aviation sectors, the state of the pandemic will make it very hard for Ramaphosa to relax lockdown restrictions by the end of this week, according to EWN.
Covid-19 Update: Statistics show Gauteng Covid deaths on the rise
Briefly News recently reported that Gauteng has reportedly recorded the deadliest week since the start of the third wave of Covid-19 infections in South Africa. The infections have been driven by the Delta variant.
Over 4 800 natural deaths were reported between 27 June and 3 July, reportedly around 3 200 more deaths than expected based on historical data. In addition to the news, just over 700 Covid-19 related deaths were recorded in the same time-frame.
The data was collected by researchers at the South African Medical Research Council's Burden of Disease Research Unit (BDRU) and the University of Cape Town's Centre for Actuarial Research (CARe).
A report by News24 stated that Stats SA are currently processing thousands of death forms dating back to 2018. Due to this, it may take a few years before a more solid number of Covid-19 related deaths is reported.
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Source: Briefly News
