Mkhize hints SA may move to level 1 in a few days
The ACDP once again calls on the government to lift the lockdown in its entirety and to implement economic growth plans to boost the ailing economy, says ACDP MP Steve Swart in a media statement released yesterday.
He says the staggering 51% drop in the gross domestic product in the second quarter of this year is a direct result of the longest and hardest lockdown worldwide, implemented to combat the spread of the coronavirus, which resulted in thousands of businesses closing their doors.
“The ACDP has consistently called for the lifting of the lockdown (with due health protocols put in place), given the devastating effect it has had on the economy. We have said we must save lives and livelihoods.
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“The economy was already in a dire state prior to the lockdown, in a recession, as a result of power outages, policy uncertainty and widespread corruption.
“Today’s figures mean that the economic recession has extended into a fourth quarter, the longest period of consecutive quarterly contraction since 1992,” says Swart.
He says the party calls on government to implement the National Treasury’s economic growth plan, as well as Business for South Africa’s (B4SA) economic recovery plan.
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“If these pro-growth plans are implemented, where possible, and without delay, they will go some way to save a decimated economy,” he says.
Meanwhile, health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize revealed today that he declining number of Covid-19 infections in SA may see the country move to level 1 in a few days’ time, reports Times Live.
The news comes as the country sits with a cumulative total of 640 441 infections and 15 086 deaths related to Covid-19.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Mkhize said the worst was over, reports Times Live
“We can safely say we are over the surge. June, July and August were the worst months, as predicted by our models. However, we found that not as many people as the model suggested would be affected,” he said.
Mkhize said a number of factors could be attributed to the declining number of infections.
“A major factor is that we embarked on containment measures, and there may well be other factors in the environment here. We are very grateful for the support we got from South Africans to try to contain the spread of the coronavirus.”
Asked when the county could move to level 1 and what measures would be put in place, Mkhize said President Cyril Ramaphosa would give an indication in a few days.
“It’s too early to say. We are still discussing all the issues. The president will give us a sense of direction, but we will be preparing to start easing to the next level,” he said.
