Gauteng ready for ‘phased easing’ of lockdown, say experts

This was revealed during Gauteng Premier David Makhura and his team’s weekly update on the progress made in the province’s battle against Covid-19.

Makhura said the number of infections has decreased significantly since the initial surge in June and July.

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But he warned that the province is not out of the woods just yet as the team’s new model has indicated that the province might reach its peak in November or December.

"The storm has not passed, it has just slowed down. It may be protracted. Instead of thinking just September, we are going to keep fighting for much longer.

"The curve is slower. It means we need to be more vigilant."

Professor Bruce Mellado of Wits University said any relaxation of the lockdown regulations would need to happen in a phased manner.

"The province has been able to handle the first significant surge but despite the success, we have to be cognisant of the fact that this drop is not the result of the pandemic having reached its peak.

“As a result of that, it is our advice - given the success of controlling the first surge and the hotspots - we are now in a position to relax lockdown.

"The relaxation of the lockdown is a complex matter and from the mathematical standpoint, also based on experience from other countries, it’s very clear that whatever relaxation takes place, whatever configuration of that relaxation takes place, that it be performed gradually and in phases.”