South Africa began Friday to gradually lift the anti-coronavirus containment imposed for five weeks on its 57 million inhabitants, by allowing the slow recovery of a small part of its economy in crisis. With more than 5,600 cases and a hundred officially registered deaths, the most industrialized country in sub-Saharan Africa is also by far the most affected by Covid-19.
Both the government and the epidemiologists who advise it have praised the effectiveness of containment, which, combined with the closing of the borders, has made it possible to contain the spread of the disease. But in a South Africa with a crisis economy and profoundly unequal, the difficulties for the most deprived populations deprived of their odd jobs of subsistence forced the authorities to open the floodgates. The confinement "cannot be extended indefinitely" , summed up President Cyril Ramaphosa, "the inhabitants must eat, earn their living, companies must produce and sell (...) and keep their employees" .
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As of midnight Friday, the country went from health alert level 5, the highest, to level 4. After the mines, which have already restarted, several industrial sectors, including construction, textiles and cars , were allowed to gradually resume their activities. A total of one and a half million workers are affected.
Most of the restrictions imposed on the population remain, particularly for movement. Main novelty, the wearing of a mask is now compulsory in public places. "Suddenly returning to normal would cause an explosion" in the number of cases, justified the Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize. "The fact that we have not had as many deaths as elsewhere in the world does not mean that it cannot happen in South Africa" .
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After contemplating lifting the ban on tobacco sales for a time, the government finally backed down in the name of health protection, angering the entire industry and smokers.
Cyril Ramaphosa announced last week a plan to support the economy and people with an exceptional amount of more than 24 billion euros. According to forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Covid-19 pandemic should reduce South African gross domestic product by 5.8% in 2020.
The next step in lifting the containment will be decided based on the progress of the epidemic.