#15,664
While most of our COVID attentions have been focused on the so-called `UK Variant', we've also been watching reports of the 501Y.V2 variant which has reportedly been propelling South Africa's huge spike in infections over the past few months (see PrePrint: Emergence & Rapid Spread of a New SARS-CoV-2 Lineage with Multiple Spike Mutations in South Africa).
Anecdotal reports suggest it may also be more transmissible, and some have suggested it may affect younger people more than the previous strain. Solid data on these claims is still quite limited, but the implications are being taken seriously.
This `South African' variant has begun to turn up in other countries, raising concerns that it - like the UK variant - could spread widely.
Over the past couple of days South Africa (pop. 58 million) surpassed 1 million confirmed infections, and nearly 27,000 deaths, which has prompted a strong response by the Ramaphosa government.
Yesterday, the South African President - via a televised speech (see Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuynhuys, Cape Town) - announced stringent new restrictions on public gatherings, a national curfew, mandatory face masks in publich, and a ban on the sale of alcohol in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.
A small excerpt from the President's speech follows:
Under the adjusted level 3 regulations:
- All indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days from the date hereof, except for funerals and other limited exceptions as detailed in the regulations, such as restaurants, museums, gyms and casinos. These will further be set out by the Minister in regulations and will be reviewed after that period.
- Funerals may not be attended by more than 50 people with social distancing.
- Every business premises must determine the maximum number of staff and customers permitted at any one time based on our social-distancing guidelines and may not exceed that limit.
- The nationwide curfew will be extended from 9pm to 6am. Apart from permitted workers and for medical and security emergencies, nobody is allowed outside their place of residence during curfew.
- Non-essential establishments – including shops, restaurants, bars and all cultural venues – must close at 8pm. The list of these establishments will be released shortly.
We now know that the simplest and most effective way to reduce transmission of the coronavirus is to wear a cloth mask that covers the nose and mouth whenever in public.
Until now the owners and managers of shops and public buildings, employers and operators of public transport have had a legal responsibility to ensure that everyone entering their premises or vehicle is wearing a mask.
But given the grave danger our country now faces, the adjusted level 3 regulations will make every individual legally responsible for wearing a mask in public.
From now on it is compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public space. A person who does not wear a cloth mask covering over the nose and mouth in a public place will be committing an offence.
A person who does not wear a mask could be arrested and prosecuted. On conviction, they will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.
This is a drastic measure but is now necessary to ensure compliance with the most basic of preventative measures.
We remain particularly concerned about the elderly and those with co-morbidities and ask that they do their utmost to protect themselves from the virus, especially minimising their contact with other people.
One of the more difficult areas of regulation relates to the sale of alcohol.
The liquor industry is a major employer and an important contributor to our economy.
Our priority at this time, however, must be to save lives.
Reckless behaviour due to alcohol intoxication has contributed to increased transmission.
Alcohol-related accidents and violence are putting pressure on our hospital emergency units.
As we had to in the early days of the lockdown, we now have to flatten the curve to protect the capacity of our healthcare system to enable it to respond effectively to this new wave of infections.
In such a scenario, every piece of medical equipment, every hospital bed, every healthcare worker, and every oxygen tank is needed to save lives.
Therefore, under the strengthened regulations:+
- The sale of alcohol from retail outlets and the on-site consumption of alcohol will not be permitted.
- The prohibition on consuming alcohol in public spaces like parks and beaches remains.
- Distribution and transportation will be prohibited with exceptions that will be explained by the minister.
These regulations may be reviewed within the next few weeks if we see a sustained decline in infections and hospital admissions.
In effect, the adjusted Level 3 regulations will keep the economy open while strengthening measures to reduce transmission.
With a few exceptions, businesses may continue to operate as long as all relevant health protocols and social distancing measures are adhered to.
Night clubs and businesses engaged in the sale and transportation of liquor will not be allowed to operate.
The Level 3 restrictions will remain in place until 15 January 2021.
While a lot will depend upon the level of compliance by the public, with luck these measures will give us some idea of how much of a dent can be made in community transmission of this variant using NPIs (Non-pharmaceutical Interventions).
Stay tuned.
