Cape Town – Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has reportedly called for an end to Covid-19 restrictions, saying they are now pointless and are harming the economy.
“COVID-19 is no longer a greater threat, it’s time to treat it the same way we treat other health risks such as HIV, TB, cancer, and maternal mortality,” EWN quoted Steenhuisen as saying.
Steenhuisen said this on Monday, as South Africa nears almost two years since the first coronavirus infections were detected in the country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa placed South Africa on its first lockdown for 21 days from March 26 to April 16, 2020. This was during the height of the Covid-19 infections.
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The decision was taken through the advice of scientists in the national coronavirus command council and the cabinet.
Since then, Ramaphosa has continued to place the country under various lockdown levels, as he responds to developments in the infection rate.
The country is currently on a less severe level 1.
“Like other countries, we need to license cheap and quick rapid tests for home use so that people can judge for themselves if they pose a risk to the vulnerable. It makes no sense to limit these to medical supervision,” said Steenhuisen, according to Times Live.
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Health Minister Joe Phaahla recently announced that government is working on new alternative measures that will replace regulations related to the National State of Disaster.
“The National Health Department is leading in that regard. We are working on our health regulations, making sure that we have enough protection measures through the National Health Act and its regulations to replace the Disaster Management Act,” BusinessTech quoted him as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
