Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has requested that the National State of Disaster be lifted and a better COVID-19 management system be implemented to reduce the strain placed on the economy and manage job creation.
Winde, who made the appeal during the President’s Co-ordinating Council (PCC) on Tuesday, September 7, said that there shouldn’t be a ‘one size fits all approach’ to implementing restrictions. He went on to say that restrictions should be implemented in line with each provincial healthcare system’s ability to cope.
“We have learnt how to manage waves and have the capacity to do so at a provincial level. I also submitted that this must now be thought through and put in place before the fourth wave. We need to get the balance right in saving lives and livelihoods,” Winde said.
[WATCH] During the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) today, I called for the National State of Disaster to be lifted and a better COVID-19 management system to be implemented to reduce pressures placed on the economy and drive job creation. pic.twitter.com/A1lUyliP3v
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) September 7, 2021
According to Winde, the recent Quarterly Labour Survey Results showed that between April 1 2020, and June 30 2021, 254 000 people lost their jobs due to the implementation of the lockdown, a statistic which is deeply concerning and should be addressed by reopening the economy.
” To further support the economy, we need to implement an electronic vaccination system to show whether residents had been vaccinated or conducted the necessary tests. This will ensure that international tourists can travel to South Africa and that South Africans can conduct business abroad.
Winde also mentioned that the submission made to the PCC relates to major indoor events, sporting events, conferences and conventions that will contribute to the economy reopening further.
“The cancellation of the World Cup Rugby 7s in Cape Town is just one example of why we need to reduce restrictions on major events. We need to allow spectators to visit our stadia and can safely do so by requiring proof of vaccination, alongside the necessary non-pharmaceutical interventions,” Winde reiterated.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape government reported 24 504 active COVID-19 infections, 503 684 confirmed cases and 460 355 recoveries as of Tuesday, September 7.
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Picture: Cape{town}etc gallery