S. Africa to further ease COVID-19 lockdown: president

CAPE TOWN - South Africa is preparing to further ease a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown later this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.

"We are now preparing for a further easing of the lockdown and a gradual opening of the economy," Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation.

Consultations with relevant stakeholders have begun on a proposal to place most of the country on alert level three of a five-level system by the end of May, said the president.

However, hotspot places with the most infections would likely remain into June on level 4.

"It is important that we maintain stringent restrictions in these areas and restrict travel out of these areas to parts of the country with lower rates of infection," he said.

South Africa has reported 12,074 COVID-19 cases and 219 fatalities to date, the highest in the African continent.

The country reduced the lockdown from level five, imposed since March 27, to level four on May 1, allowing certain businesses to reopen.

Ramaphosa said that easing the COVID-19 lockdown must be done with extreme caution to avoid a spike in cases that have occurred in other countries.

"Our goal is to steadily increase economic activity while putting measures in place to reduce the transmission of the virus and provide adequate care for those who become infected and need treatment," the president said.

He added that South Africa has been successful in containing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic through stringent lockdown measures, which has helped to prevent the country's health system from being overwhelmed.

"By delaying the spread of the disease, we have been able to strengthen the capacity of our health system and to put in place wide-ranging public health programs to better manage the inevitable increase in infections," Ramaphosa said.

He warned that the transition to the next phase of COVID-19 response will be more challenging than the present one as the risk of infection will increase when more people return to work.

"This calls for vigilance, responsibility and discipline from all of us," he said.