The 5-steps: Lifting lockdown in phases from 1 May - President Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the lockdown of the country to contain Covid-19 will be eased in phases. Presently the country is in Phase 5 and in the first step on the 1st of May, Phase 4 will be implemented during which some economic activity will be allowed with extreme precautions. Exercise will be permitted and certain classification of industries will be allowed to resume. Businesses that would be allowed to resume will only be permitted to use a third of their workforce. Ramaphosa said some sectors would however not be allowed to resume production in Level 4. There will also be a phased opening of schools and other educational institutions. International borders will however remain close and international travel or travel between provinces will not be allowed. There would be limited public transport and all passengers would be required to wear faces masks. Mass gatherings, the opening of bars and shebeens, conferences, cinemas and theatres or sporting events and religious gatherings will not be allowed. All South Africans have been asked to wear face masks. Ministers will give more details tomorrow on which sectors of the economy will be opened and after that there will be consultations with the business sector before the 1st of May. - Linda van Tilburg