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This is not the first time the NCCC has heard lively discussions around the ban on tobacco and alcohol. An announcement by Ramaphosa to allow the sale of those products under Level 4 was rescinded days later after vehement opposition led by Dlamini-Zuma.
The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association has challenged government’s decision in court, and the Presidency and Dlamini-Zuma have until next Tuesday to provide the record of the decision and the reasons why tobacco was banned in the first place.
Dlamini-Zuma’s spokesperson Mlungisi Mtshali said he could not comment on matters currently before the NCCC.
Efforts to get comment from Motsoaledi were also unsuccessful. This will be added should News24 receive it.
Hairdressers and restaurants
The NCCC has also heard arguments calling for the reopening of hairdressers and salons under Level 3.
It was argued that women, who are the majority in that industry, were at risk of losing their livelihoods.
More than 8 000 people have made inputs to government calling for the reopening of salons and hairdressers.
While the matter is still unresolved, it is understood that there seemed to be an indication that there would be “enhanced regulations” if salons were to reopen.
Another point of contention before the NCCC is the opening of restaurants under strict “protocols”.
While takeaways and drive-thrus will be open under Level 3, there is a contention that sit-down restaurants should be open.
The NCCC finally agreed that there would be limited domestic air travel under Level 3, with hotels and licenced accommodation allowed to operate to assist businesses. This too would come with strict conditions.
What is allowed
The NCCC’s members seemed to be in agreement that all manufacturing, mining, agriculture, forestry and fisheries would be opened under Level 3.
All retail would also be opened, with some restrictions. It was further agreed that the construction industry would be reopened and that all other supporting jobs would also be allowed.
The maritime industry is expected to reopen, with the exception of cruises.
Sources told News24 that there was uncertainty whether the risk-adjusted approach of having different districts in different levels would be effective in the metros around the country.
“We said people will just drive to another district for what they can’t get under Level 4,” a second source noted.
It was argued that having districts close by on different alert levels would be difficult to enforce.
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Earlier this week, Gauteng Premier David Makhura said Gauteng as a whole would move to Level 3 and would not move between levels of the lockdown in a disjointed manner.
The technical support team of the NCCC, known as Natjoints, is expected to finalise this in the coming days.
Mkhize’s plan for the next phase of the government’s response to curbing the spread of Covid-19 includes a ward-based response, which will see people being employed to enforce mask wearing and social distancing, while others would screen people in wards across the country.
The NCCC is expected to meet again next Tuesday and, in the meantime, the agreed upon regulations are being finalised by the relevant departments.
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