[imagesource: Getty]

Tanking economies have forced a number of countries to ease up on certain lockdown restrictions and allow businesses to resume operations, including our own.

How each country determines which parts of the economy, and indeed society, can go back to something resembling normal is dependent on risk assessments.

We’ve been handed a mixed bag of eased restrictions in South Africa. Religious gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed, and restaurants are operational, but we can’t visit friends and family in their homes. The tobacco sales ban is still in place, but alcohol sales have resumed.

Whilst we participate in activities and frequent businesses as they open or become available to us, we should also be making conscious choices according to the risks they pose, so that we can take the proper precautions.

Here’s MyBroadband:

The Texas Medical Association  (TMA) has released a list which ranks activities on a scale of 1 to 10, reflecting how risky they are in terms of exposure to COVID-19 infection.

Take a look at the list, which TMA shared on Twitter:

Image: Texas Medical Association

Low-risk activities include opening mail, going camping, ordering takeout, and playing tennis, while high-risk activities include going to the gym, a movie theatre, or places where large numbers of people congregate like amusement parks, concert venues, and sports stadiums.

Using the above information, let’s take a look at how some of the businesses and activities currently allowed in South Africa rank in terms of risk:

• Restaurants:

Eating inside: Moderate-high risk

Eating outside: Moderate-low risk

• Hairdressers: Moderate-high risk
• Movie theatres and casinos: High risk
• Takeaways: Low risk
• Hotels: A two-night stay is considered a moderate-low risk
• Travelling by plane (for business only in SA): Moderate-high risk
• Sending children to school: Moderate risk
• Going for a walk, run or hike with others: Moderate-low risk

According to similar lists released by Reuters and The Washington Post, other high-risk activities include taking public transport, while additional moderate-low risk activities include visiting the doctor and shopping at a mall, both of which are allowed in South Africa.

Businesses and areas that will remain closed include gyms and fitness centres, nightclubs, conference facilities, bars and taverns, and public beaches and parks.

Most of these are considered high risk, with the exception of beaches (moderate risk) and parks (moderate-low risk).

No matter what you’re doing, remember these rules – wear a mask at all times, wash your hands like it’s your job, and maintain a distance of at least 1,5 metres between yourself and others where possible.

[source:mybroadband]