| Easing restrictions is complicated, possibly even more so than the earlier “when and what” decisions of putting a nation into lockdown.
South Africa, lauded by the World Health Organization for its early, swift and decisive action in keeping people home well before any rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, is one of the countries now preparing for a lockdown easing. But messaging on what will and won’t be allowed—and why—has been confusing and unclear.
When President Cyril Ramaphosa said last month that he would ease some of the strictest measures from May 1, he told the nation they would be able be allowed to leave their homes to enjoy a walk, run or cycle. He also told them they would again be allowed to buy cigarettes.
A closed liquor store in Berea, Johannesburg.
Photographer: MARCO LONGARI/AFP
Then, just over a day before moving from level five lockdown to level four, the orders changed. Exercise will only be permitted between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. within five kilometers of home. The decision to allow sales of cigarettes was reversed. None of these were given much, if any, explanation.
South Africa’s prohibition on liquor and cigarette sales, introduced with the start of its so-called hard lockdown on March 27, has been one of the strictest in the world. Many citizens have been home brewing as their liquor supplies depleted, which may have had its own health implications. Smokers have been carefully counting their stock, dragging out a single cigarette over a couple sessions. When the ban on cigarette sales appeared close to lifting, some who had managed to buy on the black market offered a box or two to friends without. Now those longed-for habits, some healthier than others, appear out of reach again.
Anger and disappointment can erode the solidarity many people felt during initial efforts to stay home. While there is no road map for making national decisions during this uncharted time, it’s all the more necessary to ensure the public messaging is very, very clear.—Janice Kew |