Phaahla hints at 'family meeting' on Wednesday ahead of festive season
Deputy President David Mabuza may be tasked with delivering the much-anticipated ‘family meeting’ this week, as the country prepares to head into the festive season.
Last month, government kept the country on adjusted level 1 despite a spike in Covid-19 infections.
This meant the midnight to 4am curfew would remain in place, while the sale of alcohol would be permitted within curfew hours.
Indoor gatherings were limited to 750 attendees and outdoor events limited to 2000 people.
The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is set to meet again on Tuesday afternoon to decide if there’s a need to revise the lockdown restrictions.
Following news of President Cyril Ramaphosa testing positive for Covid-19 this week, his deputy Mabuza will take over the reins in his absence.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla hinted that the national address would be held on Wednesday but wouldn’t be drawn to comment on what restrictions might come into effect.
“The matter of whether there will be restrictions is not up to myself or the Department of Health, we work with a whole team of people that advise us, make proposals and ultimately we take those proposals to the Coronavirus Council,” Phaahla told journalists in Pretoria on Tuesday.
“Now in terms of whether Deputy president will address the country tomorrow, that will be decided in the meeting taking place later today.
“That matter will be discussed in that meeting and taken to Cabinet.”
Phaahla warned South Africans against becoming complacent as the festive period officially gets underway this week.
“Please don’t wait for government, don’t wait for restrictions. We’ve been around this thing for 22 months - we know what to do,” he added.
“You don’t need the family meeting to know what to do.”
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