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As things stand, South Africa remains on alert level 4.

There is no timeframe given for when we may be downgraded to alert level 3, and some would argue that a return to alert level 5, especially in some of the harder-hit areas like the Western Cape, seems more likely.

Don’t panic, though – that remains conjecture.

If and when we do drop to alert level 3, certain restrictions and regulations will be eased. As per comments from Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, during a media briefing a few weeks back, our government considers the following factors when setting the alert level:

• Rate at which the proportion of the population tested is increasing (higher is better).
• Rate at which the proportion of positive tests is increasing (lower is better).
• Rate of increase in fixed and makeshift hospital beds in both public and private sectors per 1 000 population (higher is better).
• Rate at which the proportion of hospital beds being utilised for Covid-19 is increasing (lower is better).

Those factors above would need to show movements towards the “better” outcome for changes to occur.

Using the government’s Draft Framework for Sectors document, which was released on April 25, MyBroadband has outlined which services would be allowed under alert level 3, and which sales restrictions may be eased.

As with all such documents, it comes with the caveat that it is subject to revision, and all regulations may include changes.

You can see their breakdown in tabular form here, but let’s look at areas where what is allowed under the alert levels will differ:

• Sale of Household Appliances – not allowed under alert level 4, allowed under alert level 3.
• Motor Vehicles Sales – not allowed under alert level 4, allowed under alert level 3.
• Sale of Clothing – children’s clothes and winter clothing only under alert level 4, all clothing and footwear under alert level 3.
• Sale of Hot Food – only for home delivery under alert level 4, uncertain under alert level 3.
• Air Travel – not allowed under alert level 4, limited domestic air travel, with a restriction on the number of flights per day, allowed under alert level 3.
• Sale of Alcohol – not allowed under alert level 4, allowed during restricted hours under alert level 3.
• Sale of Cigarettes – not allowed under alert level 4, allowed under alert level 3.

We break briefly to fist pump, but then remember that could still change. For those who still have a stash, don’t go polishing off your booze and ciggies just yet.

Especially when you consider that selling either could result in a R5 000 fine.

• Domestic Workers and Gardeners – permitted to support all alert level 4 personnel and live-in staff, with alert level 3 expanding to increase gardening and swimming pool services.
• Exercise – limited to the hours between 6AM and 9AM under alert level 4, and uncertainty around whether those limited hours remain in place under alert level 3.
• Postal and Courier Services – allowed for all permitted items at alert level 4, relaxing to allow the transport of all retail goods, subject to directions, under alert level 3.

One more time – all subject to change, at the discretion of the National Coronavirus Command Council.

A reminder that the NCCC has made it clear that different metropoles and provinces may be placed under different alert levels, depending on the risk factors in those areas.

Thus, even if some areas with relatively low levels of infection do drop to alert level 3, there is no guarantee that others will follow suit.

[source:mybroadband]