South Africa\u2019s National Command Council, the body overseeing the government\u2019s response to the coronavirus crisis, is considering easing lockdown rules more rapidly as the economy tanks and poverty levels soar, according to three senior officials with knowledge of the talks.<\/p>\n
Curbs could be relaxed in some provinces or areas with low infection rates, and retained in hotspots such as Cape Town, according to two of the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren\u2019t authorized to comment.<\/p>\n
While one official said a decision is likely to be taken within 10 days, another said no timeline had been set for adjusting the lockdown level.<\/p>\n
Africa\u2019s largest economy was brought to a near standstill on 27 March as the government sought to buy itself time to prepare the health system to cope with a massive influx of coronavirus patients.<\/p>\n
While restrictions were eased from 1 May, many businesses remain partially or completely closed, job losses are mounting and the central bank has warned that the economy could shrink 6.1% this year.<\/p>\n
The current restrictions are unworkable for many firms, according to Busi Mavuso, the chief executive officer of lobby group Business Leadership South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome companies simply can\u2019t open with 50% of their staff – there are complex production lines that either all operate or none at all,\u201d she said in a weekly newsletter on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cOthers can\u2019t function because they might be deemed able to open, but key suppliers are not, so they cannot access inputs to restart production.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Africa has Africa\u2019s highest number of diagnosed coronavirus infections. Of the 11,350 cases detected so far, 97% have occurred in four of the nine provinces, with Cape Town and the surrounding Western Cape province accounting for 54%.<\/p>\n
The numbers may be skewed by varying testing and screening approaches and capability.<\/p>\n
The government is still reviewing its virus response, according to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are very different stages that different parts of the country are in,\u201d he said in a televised address.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are areas that have shown no new patients, no new cases, and therefore we have to approach the issues and levels very differently.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nonceba Mhlauli, a spokeswoman for Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, declined to comment. Khusela Diko, a spokeswoman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, didn\u2019t immediately respond to questions seeking comment.<\/p>\n