Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel and Minister of Cooperative Governance Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma briefed the media on the gradual opening of the economy on Saturday.

Patel said the reopening of companies is based on four factors, including the risk of spreading Covid-19, the impact of their closure on the economy, contribution to the GDP and to the community's well-being.

"In agriculture, forestry, and fishing that whole sector will begin to reopen. As a broad baseline, 20% of all manufacturing workers will begin to restart work during level 4, but some sub-sectors of manufacturing will have a higher number of workers who will be able to return progressively to work.”

The manufacturing and selling of children's clothing, blankets, and other bedding will come back online ahead of the winter. 

Computer and cell phone manufacturing and retail will also start up again to allow more South Africans to work from home. Some car manufacturing, cement and construction material manufacturing and the selling of these will also be open on level four. 

Patel said restaurants will be allowed to operate, but only to deliver food.

The wearing of masks in public will become mandatory while a curfew will be in place between 8 pm and 5 am.

Jacaranda FM