In a huge boost for tourism SA's will be opening its borders to all countries allowing all parts of the economy to return to full operation.
The tourism industry, which accounted for about 9% of GDP and supported more that 1-million jobs, was one of the hardest hit by the Covid-19 lockdown.
SA opened its borders on October 1 when the country moved to level 1 of the lockdown, but only for tourists from countries deemed low risk. This meant that tourists from the UK, the US and many European countries which contributed significantly to tourism and SA's economy were not allowed to enter the country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday announced that the national state of disaster would be extended for another month until December 15. He said the level 1 regulations would be amended to allow international travel for all countries, subject to health protocols and the presentation of a negative Covid-19 test. They will also be amended to allow for normal trading hours for the sale of alcohol.
“We expect that these measures will greatly assist businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors,” he said.
Ramaphosa also announced that the government's wage protection scheme for workers affected by the lockdown would be extended for one more month to October 15.
“Discussions continue with our social partners on support for businesses in distress going forward, mindful of the need to ensure that the UIF has sufficient funds to meet the anticipated rise in unemployment claims,” he said.
Concerns were raised last week by business and labour after it emerged that government would not be extending the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (Ters), despite the state of disaster continuing and workers in sectors such as tourism still affected.
SA went into a hard level 5 lockdown in late March which brought economic activity to a near standstill. Though it has since moved to level 1, more than two million jobs were lost in the second quarter of this year, when the economy shrank 51% on a seasonally adjusted and annualised basis.
To date SA has recorded 742,394 coronavirus cases, with a 92% recovery rate.
As the country heads into the festive season Ramaphosa on Wednesday warned of a resurgence of coronavirus infections.
He raised concern abut the increase of infections in the Eastern Cape which in the last week saw the number of new cases 50% than the week before and 145% higher in the last 14 days compared to the previous two weeks.
Ramaphosa said teams would be working closely with the provincial government to ensure the surge is contained and managed.
Ramaphosa said the country would be working to significantly increase the number of tests done each day and there will be also be more screening and testing in hotspot areas.
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