Share
COVID-19: Reflecting on a year of lockdown in SA
On this day last year, South Africa was hours away from a strict lockdown, in government’s efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Most stores were closed, places of entertainment and recreation were also forced to close, and of course most of us were forced to work from home. 364 days later, we take a look at the year that was. Professor Mosa Moshabela, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health at the Academy of Science of South Africa joins CNBC Africa for more.
Fri, 26 Mar 2021 11:25:07 GMT
Disclaimer: The following content is generated automatically by a GPT AI and may not be accurate. To verify the details, please watch the video
AI Generated Summary
- South Africa's swift response to the first wave of the pandemic included early and stringent restrictions, although deemed harsh, were considered necessary at the time due to lack of familiarity with the virus.
- Lessons from the second wave highlighted the importance of balancing health concerns with social needs, emphasizing the need for timely implementation of restrictions to prevent mortality and societal hardship.
- The potential for a third wave and a delayed vaccine rollout may necessitate another lockdown, with a focus on clear communication and targeted interventions to contain the spread of the virus while minimizing societal disruptions.
On this day last year, South Africa was on the brink of a strict lockdown in a bid to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Mosa Moshabela, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health at the Academy of Science of South Africa, reflected on the challenges and successes of the past year in an interview with CNBC Africa. Looking back, Professor Moshabela noted the swift response of South Africa to the first wave of the pandemic, implementing stringent restrictions early on. While these measures may have seemed harsh at the time, they were deemed necessary in the absence of familiarity with the virus. However, as the country faced the second wave, it became evident that a delicate balance had to be struck between health concerns and social needs. Professor Moshabela emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes, particularly the timing of implementing restrictions to prevent further mortality and societal hardship. As South Africa navigates the possibility of a third wave and a potential stricter lockdown, lessons from previous waves will inform the government's response. The focus will be on timely and targeted restrictions to contain the spread of the virus while minimizing disruptions to society. With a delayed vaccine rollout, another lockdown may be inevitable, but it is seen as a necessary measure to prevent a resurgence of cases. Professor Moshabela stressed the need for clear communication of interventions to avoid conflicting messages and ensure the effective implementation of prepared facilities. Overall, the past year has been a learning curve for South Africa in balancing public health measures with the broader social and economic needs of the population.
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
DAILY UPDATE
Get the best of CNBC Africa sent straight to your inbox with breaking business news, insights and updates from experts across the continent.
Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about about our products and services. By signing up for newsletters, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.