South Africa needs to end the lockdown: here's a blueprint for its replacement https://theconversation.com/south-africa-needs-to-end-the-lockdown-heres-a-blueprint-for-its-replacement-136080

Interesting piece!The argument is for a gradual sectoral opening up of the economy in areas that permit social distancing like in the automobile sector, & an aggressive proactive testing agenda equal to 17000 a day.I am supportive of testing and skeptical of the sectoral opening.

The latter assumes that we have a regulatory and state capacity equivalent to Germany or South Korea which we just don’t have for such a nuanced economic strategy. Moreover, the article is silent on how to fiscally revitalize the economy, without which we will economically fail.

I am more supportive of the extension of the lockdown, at least for now. But I would have coupled it with a significant stimulus package, in the region of at least R1 trillion. This would be to support small enterprises, and enable direct grants for vulnerable households.

Many will say that this is unaffordable.I am not sure this is true.1st, there is going to be a new normal for debt levels in the post-pandemic world. 2nd, there are significant pots of money trapped in the SA economy which have just not been released for investment & development.

In sum: We need much bolder action - a fiscal reflating of the SA economy which I suspect may be more tenable in this pandemic moment. If done properly, it could also serve as the basis for the economic rejuvenation of South Africa & enabling inclusion in a post-pandemic world.