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President Ramaphosa is facing increased pressure to downgrade the whole of South Africa to alert level 3 in the coming weeks.

At this stage, we know that if alert level 3 goes forward, certain districts might be exempt from the easing of lockdown restrictions.

We also know that the nature of what will and will not be permitted under alert level 3 is likely to look quite different from the initial outline put forward by the government when the tiered system was introduced a few weeks ago.

Businesses countrywide are submitting proposals for consideration that outline the measures that they plan to put in place if they’re allowed to resume operations.

The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) is among the sectors gunning to be back up and running within the coming weeks, as alert level 3 would see limited domestic air travel allowed, with a restriction on the number of flights per day.

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Presenting to parliament’s portfolio committee on Transport on Monday (18 May), Acsa proposed that airlines effectively run at 20% – 25% of the domestic travel volume, and be limited to certain times of the day.

Under the proposals, prioritisation would be given to the ‘golden triangle’ of OR Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International, with flights initially running between 06h00 to 09h00 and 15h00 to 18h00.

The inter-provincial road travel routes that connect districts to the airports would also have to be opened to the public.

Proposed safety measures to prevent COVID-19 from spreading at airports include:

• Mandatory screening and test certificates in coordination with health authorities;
• Consideration of compulsory baggage sanitisation measures for both carry-on and checked-in luggage;
• SAPS and external security service providers to continue operating;
• Some retail services allowed – subject to prioritisation of services required;
• Allowance of some auxiliary support services such as parking, car rental, public transport (including Gautrain)  and airport hotels;
• Strict social distancing measures within the airport and prior to boarding.
• Airlines will have to implement their own distancing and hygiene measures for their respective flights.

On flights, the middle seat in each row would have to remain vacant to ensure physical distancing between passengers.

I don’t think anyone will be sad to see the middle seat go, but that will further affect any airline’s bottom line, all of whom are already under immense financial strain.

You can check out the finer points of the plan, here.

[source:businesstech]