this was postponed after Winde went into self-quarantine after coming into contact with eNCA cameraman Lungile Tom, who died of Covid-19 on Wednesday morning.
“With our health care system prepared, it is simply no longer possible to maintain Level 4 restrictions anywhere in the Western Cape or South Africa,” he said in a statement.
“The economic crisis caused by these restrictions has resulted in a life-threatening humanitarian disaster that will only worsen in the months ahead.”
Winde said the province had adopted a data-led, evidence-based approach to its Covid-19 response, with targeted interventions in hotspots.
“These hotspots are not whole provinces or even districts. They are geographical areas where people live, down to street-level.”
This plan was also presented to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Saturday and has already been adopted by his cabinet, Winde said.
“This ‘all of government’ approach uses the combined impact of our respective governments and enforcement agencies, with the single-minded goal to slow the spread and protect vulnerable groups of people who are at high risk. We welcome that this targeted hotspot plan has now also been adopted by National Government, as revealed by the President [on Wednesday night].
“This focused effort of government, in partnership with the private sector and every person, will help us slow the spread and save lives, while still allowing more economic activity and protecting the livelihoods of especially our poor and vulnerable residents.”
