Some questions about the #level4lockdown
A thread:
It seems to be a sensible balance aimed at getting the economy moving & protecting lives. The devil will be in the detail of how the sectors are going to be reopened. For me there are 4 major questions
@PresidencyZA @IEJ_SA

It is a very elaborate plan, & many questions arise about the ability to manage, monitor & enforce it. We will get further info from Ministers in coming days, so hopefully there will be more clarity as the plans are announced. Rising above the detail, I have 4 major concerns:

1. Implications for jobs of having a small portion of the workforce going back.This requires consideration of further support measures. It also requires tight conditions to be attached to schemes eg loan guarantee schemes, to require companies receiving assistance to protect jobs

2. Adequate health& safety measures are put in place on transport & workplaces to require proper distancing etc. to combat negligence by unscrupulous employers, & to address the inherent challenges of certain workplaces/ production processes making physical distancing difficult/

This requires engagement with employers in different sectors, & a mechanism such as certification to inspectors by trade unions in the workplace, or where there are no majority TUs a representative workers committee, that safety measures have been approved by the union & workers

3. It is not clear yet how the provincial and district alert levels (moving between levels 5- 1) will work, particularly given that the provinces & metros where the virus is most prevalent are in the economic heartland and constitute the vast bulk of South Africa's economy.

4. #Level4 requires greater involvement of law enforcement in policing the measures.The Pres needs to ensure that rogue elements in SAPS & SANDF are reined in, proper training given on the purpose of the measures, & decisive action taken against those abusing the population.

A key test for success of the #level4lockdown will be whether government has used the space provided by the initial lockdown to put adequate testing & facilities in place to cope with the expected rise in infections, to manage the impact on hospitals & other health infrastructure

The President had indicated there was a need to look at a medium term strategy to transform our economy beyond the #Covid19 crisis. While we are all absorbed in the immediate challenges we must not lose sight of this important imperative.
@IEJ_SA @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa