South Africa loosens lockdown; implements measures to revive economy

South Africa loosens lockdown; implements measures to revive economy

- South Africa has finally lifted its lockdown and is putting in place measures to revive the economy

- As its mines and factories return to full capacity, it has been predicted that its economy will contract to 7% by December 2020

- An attempt to reopen schools was halted after protests from parents and unions

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YEN.com.gh has learned that South Africa has finally lifted its lockdown and is implementing measures to revive its economy.

Information available shows that its citizens can now return to work, religious activities and work at mines, and factories will return to full capacity.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was reportedly praised for COVID-19-related decisions but the country’s economy remains in a dire state and was reportedly close to recession before the outbreak of the virus.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: South Africa to evacuate citizens from Wuhan

Per a report by Reuters, the country’s central bank expects the economy to contract by 7% in 2020.

According to Ramaphosa, the county is "taking a gradual approach, guided by the advice of our scientists and led by the realities on the ground.”

It has been gathered that a substantial number of South Africans live below the official poverty line and are at a risk from hunger.

Although it was announced that schools would open on Monday, June 1, 2020, for last years of primary and secondary level of education, unions urged teachers and other staff to stay away, saying they were not equipped to keep employees and pupils safe.

This compelled the education ministry to review the decision and state that pupils would return to school in two weeks’ time.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed South Africans on the eve ahead of the Easter weekend and provided some clarity on the current coronavirus crisis.

After two weeks of nationwide lockdown, Ramaphosa noted that "the struggle against the coronavirus is far from over.
We are only at the very beginning of a monumental struggle that demands every resource and every effort. We cannot relax and we cannot be complacent."

Ramaphosa announced that the lockdown would be increased, after careful consideration, by a further two weeks.

READ ALSO: Ghana's 2020 revenue target could fall by over GHC15 billion in 2020 - Report

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Source: YEN.com.gh

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