“UASA is pleased that some of the lockdown restrictions will be lifted as from 1 May, while we are, at the same time, also reassured by the remaining strict measures towards containing the spread of the virus as much as possible,” UASA spokesperson, Stanford Mazhindu, said.

In his address on Thursday evening, Ramaphosa announced a 5-level phased approach to easing the nationwide lockdown restrictions. The president said that the country would move from level 5 to level 4 on 1 May.

While this phase will allow some sectors of the economy to reopen under strict conditions, all other South Africans are still required to stay at home as the lockdown continues, the president said. 

South Africa is still under a five-week level 5 lockdown, which is due to be eased at the end of April. It was imposed by government to curb the rapid spread of the coronavirus.

The UASA says making the five alert levels and the objectives of each accessible will go a long way towards assisting the public understand the government's approach to curbing the spread of the virus, and what the country may experience in the months to come.

The union added that resuming some economic activities will give an early start to the repair work that will be required urgently to fix South Africa's economy after the pandemic. 

“UASA is impressed with the way the presidency and the rest of the government team have handled the coronavirus threat to our nation, in particular the clear communication from the president to the nation, and statistics regarding the pandemic coming directly from the Department of Health to keep all citizens equally informed,” Mazhindu said.

On Thursday, a corporate financier said South Africa would not see a sharp and quick economic rebound after the coronavirus crisis had passed, but would in all likelihood see a 12- to 24-month gradual recovery, with the added complexity of managing a rebuild and growth plan spanning an initial period of six to eight years.

African News Agency