WRAP | Ramaphosa announces more sectors to reopen, talks tough on gender-based violence

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that sit-in restaurants and the grooming and personal care sector will resume for business soon, as the country moves to reopen more economic sectors.

Ramaphosa said cabinet has decided to ease restrictions on restaurants for sit-down meals, accommodation facilities, conference facilities, cinemas and theatres, casinos, personal care services (including hairdressers and beauty services), non-contact sports, contact sports (but only for training).

Ramaphosa said these activities will be permitted but with stringent rules, which will be announced in due course. The dates for reopening will be communicated soon.

He said, as the country gradually opens up, the risk of infection "inevitably increases". He added, however, the risk of infection is not inevitable, saying that one's behaviour can determine whether they contract the virus. He reminded the public to wear a mask.

South Africa remains at lockdown #level 3, however, additional sectors of our economy will now be allowed to reopen provided that strict measures are in place to ensure physical distancing and personal hygiene. #COVID19SA #CoronavirusUpdate pic.twitter.com/chfhaqalZD

— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) June 17, 2020

Ramaphosa's address followed a number of meetings of the Cabinet, the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the Presidential Coordinating Council.

Speaking about the spread of Covid-19 in the country, Ramaphosa says the number of infections was doubling every two days before the lockdown. Once Level 5 began, the number of cases doubled every 15 days. Now, it doubles about every 12 days.

The President said nearly a third of all confirmed cases have been recorded in the past week alone, owing to more activity because of Level 3 lockdown.

The President, meanwhile, announced that there have been 1 674 Covid-19 deaths and 80 412 confirmed cases.

'War waged against women'

Ramaphosa also took the opportunity to talk tough on gender-based violence, which has hit headlines in the past week after the gruesome deaths of several women.

He said "with the heaviest heart" that women in the country are facing violence from men. He said he is "appalled" at a "war" being waged against women and children in the country, and that violence is being "unleashed on the women and children... with a brutality that defies any form of comprehension."

He said 21 women and children have been killed in the past few weeks. He recites the names of women, whose deaths have hit headlines over the past week, who were killed by men.

“These women are just not statistics", he said, adding that our “hearts, thoughts and prayers are with them”. He commended the police for arresting almost all of the alleged perpetrators.

He said the country now has a national plan to combat gender-based violence. He reminded the country of the GBV hotline available during the lockdown.

He assured the women and children of SA that the justice system will focus on issues of GBV, and ensured more arrests in these incidents to follow. He says the court sentences must reflect the seriousness of GBV.

He said the country is facing a coronavirus epidemic and a gender-based violence epidemic. He called on the public to act responsibly and take care of one another.

"The road ahead will be long and difficult, but the task of recovery will also be long and considerable,” he said.

- Kerushun Pillay

Ramaphosa says he believes that the country can overcome GBV and also Covid-19. "It is indeed in all of our hands to ensure we overcome."

He has wrapped up his address. 

He says the country is facing a coronavirus epidemic and a gender-based violence epidemic. He calls on the public to act responsibly and take care of one another. "The road ahead will be long and difficult, but the task of recovery will also be long and considerable."

Ramaphosa said it was important to encourage responsible alcohol consumption. He said we need to look at "drastic measures" to curb alcohol abuse. 

He says the success of the fight to end GBV will require the support of our whole society. He calls on the public not to be silent over issues of gender-based violence. 

Ramaphosa says the introduction of the Level 3 lockdown coincided with an increase in violent crimes. He said our society needs to introspect on the wider issue of GBV. He also questioned whether alcohol led to these crimes. 

He urged lawmakers to amend laws related to minimum sentences of GBV. 

He assured the women and children of SA that the justice system will focus on issues of GBV, and ensured more arrests in these incidents to follow. He says the court sentences must reflect the seriousness of GBV. 

Ramaphosa says 10 buildings have been repurposed to be used as shelters for people wanting to leave abusive homes. 

He says the country now has a national plan to combat gender-based violence. He reminded the country of the GBV hotline available during the lockdown. 

He says "we will speak for the innocent soul" of Tshegofatso Pule's unborn child. Ramaphosa says "these women are just not statistics", saying that our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with them. He commended the police for arresting almost all of the alleged perpetrators. 

Ramaphosa says 21 women and children have been killed in the past few weeks. He recites the names of women, whose deaths have hit headlines over the past week, who were killed by men. 

Ramaphosa adds "with the heaviest heart" that women in the country are facing violence from men. He says he is "appalled" at a "war" being waged against women and children in the country. He says violence is being "unleashed on the women and children... with a brutality that defies any form of comprehension."

He says women are being raped and killed by men. 

The President says it was important to reopen personal care services because it employs many women. He says the lockdown has been tough on them, and their income source has ground to a halt. He says the reopening will allow them to become financially independent. 

Ramaphosa says the government is working with international agencies on fighting the virus. He says the African Union is looking at developing a common Covid-19 strategy for the continent. 

Ramaphosa says these activities will be permitted but with stringent rules, which will be announced in due course. He says the dates for reopening will be communicated soon. 

Cabinet has decided to ease restrictions on restaurants for sit-down meals, accommodation facilities, conference facilities, cinemas and theatres, casinos, personal care services (including hairdressers and beauty services), non-contact sports, contact sports (but only for training).

He says the government has given consideration to opening more of the economy. He says there have been discussions with stakeholders in those sectors, government officials and scientists on reopening these sectors. 

Ramaphosa says the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the livelihoods of many people in the country. Many people are still not able to go back to work. 

Ramaphosa says there is a single marketplace for the African continent to obtain testing materials. He says this will allow the country to ensure it has what it needs. 

He says South Africa, like other countries, has a shortage of testing equipment and protective gear, and the government has, therefore, targeted certain vulnerable groups for testing. 

Ramaphosa now turns to discussing lockdown Level 3. He says the government is focused on hotspot areas and sending teams to contain outbreaks. He says the government has "massively increased" screening facilities across the country. 

Ramaphosa says intervention like fumigation tunnels may have no basis, and shouldn't be used. 

The President reiterates the call to practise good hygiene, and not to touch your face with unwashed hands. He said physical distancing was still very important in curbing the spread of the virus. 

Ramaphosa says, as the country gradually opens up, the risk of infection "inevitably increases". He says the risk of infection is not, however, inevitable, saying that one's behaviour can determine whether they contract the virus. He reminded the public to wear a mask. 

Ramaphosa says the virus is hitting close to each of us, adding that everyone at this point knows someone with Covid-19. 

Ramaphosa says community transmissions have been rising rapidly in the Western Cape, and a similar issue is being seen in the Eastern Cape. 

The President says nearly a third of all confirmed cases have been recorded in the past week alone. 

He says even as we near 100 days, we are only at the beginning of the pandemic. It may last years. 

Ramaphosa says the number of infections was doubling every two days before the lockdown. Once Level 5 began, the number of cases doubled every 15 days. Now, it doubles about every 12 days. 

Ramaphosa says the lockdown was necessary to slow the spread of the virus' spread. 

He says there have been 1 674 Covid-19 deaths and 80 412 confirmed case.

Ramaphosa has begun his address

While we wait for the President’s address…

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