DA slams level 4 regulations as 'blunt and restrictive'
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says the government's approach to gradually re-open the economy is “blunt and restrictive” with no justification for many of the arbitrary rules and restrictions.
DA interim leader, John Steenhuisen, says there is not enough to distinguish lockdown Level 4 from Level 5.
"This will be disastrous for millions of lives and livelihoods. Government has essentially smuggled through an extension of the hard lockdown under the guise of easing restrictions," says Steenhuisen.
He believes government should specify the safety measures that must be in place before a business can once again open its doors, leaving up to the different businesses to then decide if they are willing or able to meet the required safety standards.
"Some of the decisions are draconian, such as the continued ban on smoking and sale of hot food. Will sugar and fatty foods be next? The President told us smoking would be allowed in Level 4 – but the command council has now backtracked on this," says Steenhuisen.
He says while other restrictions are well intended, the common thread running through all the restrictions is the government's lack of trust in its people.
"People are not being trusted with data or empowered with any reasonable degree of personal decision making. They are being treated as children rather than adults," adds Steenhuisen.
He continues by warning that some restrictions will broaden business opportunities for mafias and starve the fiscus of needed revenue.
"The DA suggested reasonable restrictions on times and quantity of legal alcohol sales," concludes Steenhuisen.
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