Minister of Industry Ebrahim Patel has hinted provinces Western Cape and Eastern Cape could remain on level 4 lockdown as country moves to level 3
The Minister was speaking on eNCA. He was asked about the disproportionate increase in cases in Western Cape and Eastern Cape and the the court challenge being pursued by the Democratic Alliance.
He was also asked about how they are going to treat Western Cape following a district per district approach they are proposing.
“I would like to emphasise that we have to depoliticize the pandemic. We need to put aside historical differences aside. We need to do everything possible for those who are infected. There should be less grandstanding . We have a structure for the Presidential Coordinating Council that brings premiers of all provinces. We had an hour long sessions with municipalities. We will be taking into account input from other provinces. I’m not going to make the announcement but the President will announce. You cannot expect thee Western Cape to open up. We are worried about Cape Town, for every 100 000 people, the city has more infections than any other place in the country. Without question Cape Town is worrying. it is my hometown. we will be doubling efforts with all authorities to see want we can do to contain the virus in Cape Town and Eastern Cape. We need to coordinate between those two provinces to limit the transmission,” Patel said
Patel’s remarks comes as Director of Health Anban Pillay has said some parts of South Africa could move to level 3 lockdown as early as this week.
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