Mkhize: Localised lockdown on the cards

A year and half later, since the WHO declared the virus a global health crisis. Picture: Itumeleng English/African News Agency(ANA)

A year and half later, since the WHO declared the virus a global health crisis. Picture: Itumeleng English/African News Agency(ANA)

Published Jun 30, 2020

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As the Covid-19 infection numbers continue to surge with some provinces spiking drastically more than others, Health minister Zweli Mkhize says a localised lockdown could be rolled out going forward.

Mkhize tweeted that although the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) has not yet formally discussed the location-based lockdowns, but it will be considered.

Countries like Germany and England have imposed a localised lockdown which has worked for them following major outbreaks in certain areas.

“There has not been any decision taken (to have another lockdown) and certainly the NCCC does not take lightly a decision of that nature.

“There may be a need in some areas for restrictions, it may not be national but localised. But no such decision has been taken as yet,” said Mkhize.

“One of the challenges with Gauteng is the fact that you have different metropolitan areas, which is one ecosystem. As we move into the future we need to be open-minded as to what our needs are.

“We could not sustain the lockdown the way it was. We needed people to get back to their jobs and for the economy to be revived. We needed to do that under new circumstances where we use masks, social distance and sanitise our hands,” he said.

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