Ramaphosa: Economy to reopen in phases
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed that the economy will reopen in phases when the national lockdown is lifted.
Ramaphosa addressed the nation at the Union Buildings on Tuesday, where he announced a R500 billion relief package as part of the government’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.
The R500 billion package is equal to 10% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
During his address, Ramaphosa said a risk-adjusted approach will be followed.
"The fourth area of which cabinet has resolved is the phased re-opening of the economy.
"We will follow a risk-adjusted approached to the re-opening balancing the continued need to limit the spread of the coronavirus with the need to get people back to work.”
Ramahosa reiterated that an abrupt reopening would be catastrophic.
"As I have said previously, if we end the lockdown too soon or too abruptly, we risk a massive and uncontrollable resurgence of the disease.
“We will, therefore, follow a phased approach, guided by the best available scientific evidence, to gradually lift the restrictions on economic activity.”
Ramaphosa is set to announce the plans to lift the lockdown on Thursday.