The announcement of the country’s transition to Alert level 3 from 1 June marks a significant shift in the country’s response to the Covid-19 global pandemic. It means reopening the economy and lifting several regulations to allow more and freer movement within provinces.
Some are for the transition, while others are against it.
Here is what some Potchefstroomers had to say.
Johan Zerwick, the councillor of ward 4, believes the country should have moved to level 3 sooner as the economy has suffered. “People will start earning money again, the economy will start moving again and we can pray and worship together,” he said.
Zerwick says he spent a lot of time in Ikageng and was shocked to see how some parents never kept their children indoors during the more restricting levels of lockdown. “Now that the masks are supposed to be worn, it’s shocking to see how children walk around without masks and to see kids and youth playing soccer here and there.”
Another downside for Zerwick is the lift on the alcohol ban. He suspects that the consumption of alcohol will result in several problems, such as domestic violence and fights.
However, he encourages all to keep calm during this time and help one another, while observing the regulations. Also, to keep the hope alive and pray. “When we look at the cases in SA let us not only look at the total infected people but rather look at the amount that recovered. The recoveries will make you realize that there is hope,” he concluded.
James Molapo from Ikageng says if we consider the rate at which Covid-19 has been spreading in some parts of the country, the transition to Alert level 3 may not be such a good idea, especially in the hotspots. The hotspot areas include Cape Town, Overberg, Ekhuruleni, Tshwane, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay, Johannesburg, West Coast, Buffalo City, Cape Winelands Chris Hani District and iLembe District.
Molapo says one of the biggest advantages of the shift is that people will have the opportunity to find work to ensure that they don’t go hungry. However, he thinks the number of confirmed cases may increase at a quicker rate, especially with the alcohol ban lifted. “We all know how reckless and irre- sponsible people can get when they are intoxicated. “Coronavirus is deadly; we all know that. So, we have to try by all means to curb it as a nation,” he stated. Molapo believes we can tackle the rapid spread of coronavirus if we follow the strict precautionary measures of level 3. He further pleads with the public to keep their masks on at all times and continue practising good hygiene and social distancing.
Dianne Meere, a former guider of the Potchefstroom Girl Guides welcomes the announcement of level 3 as it is good for the economy, but stresses that we should ensure that we all strictly abide by the preventative measures. She said the shift is good for parents as their nannies or caretakers are allowed to come and take care of the children when they return to work.
However, she has noticed that some people still walk around without masks and strongly urges people to start wearing their masks and sanitise their hands regularly.
She advises people to be strict, disciplined and do the right thing for themselves and others, especially during this time.
“It is through diligently and consistently observing these basic practices that we will overcome this pandemic,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa in Sunday’s (24 May) speech.
