The Party released a Statement saying it notes President Ramaphosa’s announcement of a move to Lockdown Level 2 and that while it welcomes the easing of restrictions, it calls on the President to go further and commit to an end date for all lockdown restrictions as well as the State of Disaster.
The only possible reason for any further restrictions would be to allow everyone over the age of 18 the chance to get vaccinated. And since the 18-35 year-old group have had access to the vaccine since 20 August, this deadline must now be well within our sight. At the very latest, this should happen by mid-November, which would give this age cohort a full 12 weeks to get both jabs.
According to the Party, the deadline for an end to lockdown restrictions needs to be announced now so that businesses affected by lockdown restrictions can plan accordingly.
If President Ramaphosa does not think this is what needs to happen, he must give his and his government’s reasons why not. South Africans have made extraordinary sacrifices in order to comply with restrictions and regulations that are seldom explained or justified. The president needs to take citizens into his confidence and let them know precisely why these sacrifices must continue.