DA: Govt needs to lift lockdown restrictions in stages

Interim leader John Steenhuisen revealed the party’s ‘smart lockdown’ document on Monday, proposing ways the DA believes the country will be able to save lives and livelihoods amid the coronavirus crisis.

According to the DA, the strategy resembles that of loadshedding, lifting lockdown restrictions in 4 stages.

Steenhuisen explains the stages:

“Managing Covid-19 will require a marathon, not a sprint. Realistically, South Africa may have to contain the coronavirus right up until a vaccine is widely available in 18-24 months’ time. We must hope for a shorter period but plan pragmatically for a long one.

“South Africa cannot simply go back to a business as usual approach. We’re going to need a phased and flexible approach to ease the lockdown but also making sure we contain the spread of the coronavirus, save loves, bearing in mind that this virus is not going to disappear at the end of this 5 week period.”

Steenhuisen says the party's policy unit has been working with a range of experts to draw up a plan to supplement government’s efforts.

“A phased strategy gives South Africa the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, but it also provides people with an incentive to comply with the regulations. What South African needs most is a strategy to balance the containment of Covid-19 and the containment of the economic fallout.”

A copy of the working paper has been submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

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