South Africa to ease COVID-19 restrictions further from June 1

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. /Photo Courtesy: South African Presidency

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans by the government to further ease lockdown restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

In a televised address on Sunday, Ramaphosa noted the harm the disease has caused in his country, but said the indefinite time it may take to develop a vaccine means the country cannot continue being in a lockdown.

"Moving to alert level three marks a significant shift in our approach to the pandemic. This will result in the opening up of the economy and the removal of a number of restrictions on the movement of people, while significantly expanding and intensifying our public health interventions," the president said.

The easing of the lockdown from a level four to a level three will take effect from June 1.

South Africa is the worst affected country by the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, having reported more than 21,000 infections and 407 deaths.

President Ramaphosa also called for a fair distribution of any vaccine upon development.

"We have argued that should a vaccine be developed anywhere in the world it should be made freely and equitably available to citizens of all countries," he said.

Source(s): South African Presidency