Amid growing opposition to some of the restrictions to be imposed as part of South Africa’s Level 4 Covid-19 lockdown, which begins on May 1, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has sought to outline the philosophy underpinning the country’s evolving approach to working during the pandemic. Speaking after Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma outraged and confused many by reversing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed easing of a ban on the sale of cigarettes, while announcing the imposition of an irrational three-hour restriction, from 6:00 to 9:00, on outdoor exercise, Patel moved to explain the delicate balancing act government would expect working South Africans to undertake during Level 4.
