Eased Lockdown Restrictions on the Cards As New Infections Slow Ahead of Elections
- The government is discussing easing the lockdown restrictions as the local government elections draw closer
- A sustained slowdown in new infections spurred the government into preparing to ease the restrictions
- President Cyril Ramaphosa will reportedly discuss adjustments with religious leaders and heads of political parties, among others, before addressing the nation in the coming days
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Discussions are taking place around easing the lockdown restrictions as the local government elections draw closer.
TimesLIVE reported that a sustained slowdown in new infections spurred the government into preparing to ease the restrictions.
Source: Twitter
The restrictions were to curb the spread of the coronavirus at the height of the recent third wave.
Briefly News has it on good authority that larger public gatherings are likely to be permitted, particularly with political parties needing to campaign for the municipal elections set for 1 November.
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Deputy President David Mabuza, speaking during a visit to Rustenburg in the North West as part of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Covid-19 vaccines, according to SABC News, said talks are underway to relax the current lockdown restrictions.
"We are in deliberation with some formations in the country [along with] with the president and other ministers," said Mabuza.
"We were consulting with all political leaders.We are going to the elections, and we are doing very well.
"Two provinces are already out of the third wave, but the other provinces remain in it, to a degree. North West remains behind but is pushing their vaccination drives," he added.
Relaxed lockdown restrictions expected in coming days
Reports on the ground have suggested trading of alcohol will be extended while a night-time curfew is likely to be shortened. Briefly News understands the rules were discussed by the national coronavirus command council this week.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will discuss adjustments with religious leaders and heads of political parties, among others, before addressing the nation in the coming days.
It's expected that Ramaphosa will announce the moving the country from Coronavirus adjusted alert Level 3 to alert Level 2.
IEC expects local government elections to take place on 1 November
In recent related news, Briefly News reported that the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has announced it is considering 1 November as the new date for local government elections following a ruling by the Constitutional Court last week.
Monday saw an important meeting of the IEC’s party liaison committee occurring after an emergency meeting hosted over the weekend to converse on the Constitutional Court decision.
Glen Mashinini, IEC chairperson said it is important to fix the timetable and to reopen registrations. He added that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will confirm the new date for the elections.
Source: Briefly News
