2020-05-04 10:46
Every regulation we
have put in place has been carefully considered. Along the way there has been
consultation with medical experts, various constituencies and different
industries, writes President Cyril Ramaphosa in his weekly newsletter.
Dear fellow South
African,
The entire world is
in the unrelenting grip of the coronavirus pandemic, whose spread has been
rapid. A vaccine has yet to be found. Across the world, over 3.4 million people
are known to be infected and more than 240 000 have died. These are indeed
desperate times.
When the national
state of disaster was declared six weeks ago, South Africa only had 61
confirmed coronavirus infections. Despite the relatively low number, expert
opinion and international experience indicated that infections would rise exponentially.
I said that urgent and drastic measures would need to be taken.
Those measures –
which included a nationwide lockdown and the closure of our borders – have
proved to be effective in delaying the spread of the disease.
This has been
possible because most South Africans have adhered to the lockdown provisions,
practising social distancing and wearing face masks. I applaud you for this and
for all the other sacrifices you have made.
At this stage in the
progress of the pandemic, other countries had far more infections than we do.
As of now – which is 46 days since we recorded our 100th coronavirus case – we
have 6 783 confirmed cases. Italy, which has a similar size population to ours,
had more than 140 000 cases and the United States had around 700 000 confirmed
cases at the 46-day mark.
But this does not
mean that the danger has passed. We have not nearly reached the peak of
infections in South Africa. All the scientific models show that the infection
rate will continue to rise at a much faster rate in the next few months.
However, the speed
with which the virus spreads and the number of people who are ultimately
infected will be determined by what we do now. That is why the easing of the
lockdown needs to be gradual and cautious. It is for this reason that many
regulations need to remain in place and why it is absolutely essential that
people observe them. I know how difficult this is and I understand the concern
that many of our compatriots have about how these regulations are interfering
and limiting their rights. But all this is necessary. Our overriding objective
is the preservation of life.
Social distancing and
proper hygiene are still our best and only defences in this struggle. This is
what informs the regulations we have put in place for Level 4 of our response.
Our considerations are based on empirical evidence, scientific and economic
data and international best practice.
In the 1995 judgment
of the Constitutional Court that outlawed capital punishment, Justice Arthur
Chaskalson wrote: “The rights to life and dignity are the most important
of all human rights and the source of all other personal rights. By committing
ourselves to a society founded on the recognition of human rights we are
required to value these two rights above all others.”
READ: Cyril Ramaphosa | Coronavirus crisis an opportunity to invest in a new, better society
The regulations we
have put in place are founded on that commitment to life and dignity, and which
justify – in these extreme circumstances – temporary restrictions on other
rights, like freedom of movement and association.
In doing this, South
Africa is not unlike many other countries.
An estimated
one-fifth of the world’s population is under quarantine or nationwide lockdown,
with this number growing rapidly in response to rising infections. This
includes countries with substantially larger populations than ours, like India
with its 1.5 billion people.
Dozens of countries
have imposed curfews such as the one that is now in place here. Limitations on
movement are in place in a number of countries. In the UK and the French
capital, Paris, public exercise is limited to certain hours and within a
certain distance of one’s home.
Containment and
prevention measures similar to ours are in place in a number of countries. For
example, alcohol sales during lockdown have been either restricted or banned in
a number of territories and by local governments, including parts of Mexico,
Hong Kong and Greenland, which last month imposed a ban on alcohol sales during
lockdown to limit infection, but also ‘to curb violence against women and
children’.
There has been much
public comment on government’s decision to extend the prohibition on the sale
of tobacco products into Level 4. A decision like this is bound to be
controversial, but it is wrong to suggest that there are ministers or a president
doing and saying whatever they want on this matter.
On 23 April, I
announced that cigarette sales would be permitted during Level 4. This was
based on the view of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), and which
was contained in the draft framework that was published for consultation.
After careful
consideration and discussion, the NCCC reconsidered its position on tobacco. As
a result, the regulations ratified by Cabinet and announced by Minister
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on 29 April extended the prohibition.
This was a collective
decision and the public statements by both myself and the minister were done on
behalf of, and mandated by, the collective I lead.
READ: Cyril Ramaphosa | We acted to save lives, but support of the most vulnerable has been slower
Every regulation we
have put in place has been carefully considered. Along the way there has been
consultation with medical experts, various constituencies and different
industries. We have been guided by international bodies and the experience of
other countries.
The reality is that
we are sailing in uncharted waters. There is still a great deal about the
epidemiology of the virus that is unknown. It is better to err on the side of
caution than to pay the devastating price of a lapse in judgment in future.
While there are
differing views on some of the decisions we have taken – and in some instances
these have polarised opinion – government is making every effort to act in a
way that advances the rights to life and dignity of all our people.
Listening to our
people and their concerns during this period has been one of the distinguishing
features of how we as government have managed this pandemic. We continue to
listen to the concerns of our people and are prepared to make adjustments that
balance people’s concerns about the challenges they face with the need to save
lives.
At this difficult
time, our collective energies must be focused on ensuring that health and life
is preserved, that the delivery of food, water, health care, social security
and social support is not disrupted.
Under these
extraordinary circumstances, as government, as individuals and as society we
will at times make mistakes. When these occur, we will correct them. But we
must carry on, losing neither our nerve nor our resolve.
The situation in
which we find ourselves demands courage and patience. It requires goodwill and
trust between you, the citizen, and your government, and between each other.
Over the past five
weeks, most South Africans have adhered to the lockdown regulations and, as a
result, we have slowed the spread of the virus.
It is my plea that we
continue in this way and that we remain united in confronting this grave threat
to the life and dignity of our people.
With best wishes,
President Cyril
Ramaphosa
