Stricter measures in store for Covid-hit Gauteng, warns Makhura

Premier David Makhura warned that residents could face stricter lockdown measures during a media briefing on Monday. 

He spoke during a welcoming ceremony for military health personnel at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.

The province currently has over 60 percent of the total number of confirmed cases in the country.

Makhura said the continuing surge in infections in the province leaves the provincial government with little choice but to consider stricter regulations.

"Tomorrow we have our Coronavirus Command Council meeting and we will do an assessment.

"Sitting from where we are, anybody can see that Covid-19 pandemic in Gauteng is really raging. I can't say that what we have done is not enough, but we cannot rule that out that we may need more restrictions.

"The pandemic is completely out of control and if we have to do extraordinary things and ask for further restrictions above level 3 in Gauteng, that is something that we must explore." 

Makhura also lashed out at people who continue to hold large gatherings in contravention of the level 3 regulations.

"In the suburbs, restaurants are full, people are walking in and out, they are crowding. There is some false sense, including those who have received a vaccine, that the situation is normalising.

"I must also say that driving around in the townships, I have also seen people are playing soccer and gathering there," added Makhura. 

"A leader of a trade union sent me pictures of a big tournament yesterday and people were not having their masks on." 

 Also Read