With South Africa well and truly in the grasp of a second outbreak of COVID-19 infections, President Cyril Ramaphosa has encouraged the public to do more to ensure that the dissemination of the virus is not enabled by insufficient compliance with the preventive regulations.

In his address to the nation on Monday, 14 December, Ramaphosa declared that more restrictions would be placed in place to limit the outbreak, and issued a last, final alert to South Africans that, unless they do better, more extreme restrictions would be imminent.

‘SECOND WAVE May BE WORST THE FIRST’ – RAMAPHOSA

Ramaphosa said that the increase in cases might have been stopped if more citizens had defied the temptation to go to mass meetings and drive irresponsibly. He said that the future is bleak if such activity persists, and cautioned that the second wave may be stronger than the first wave in terms of confirmed fatalities.

“We’re getting very close to 900 000 cases, and we’ll soon be hitting a million cases,” he added.

“These numbers are a matter of considerable worry, and there should be no question that we have reached a second surge. With the pace at which incidents have escalated, there is every chance that if we do not respond immediately, the second wave would be much more serious than the first wave.”

Trigger FOR Consideration ALCOHOL Use

According to Ramaphosa, the Groups are the main cause of outbreaks.

“Social distances are not found in many of these parties. Venues are frequently overcrowded and often not well ventilated. Hand sanitizers are not always accessible, and people don’t wear masks,” he added.

He said that those who drink alcoholic drinks are being less vigilant with steps to safeguard themselves and others and his declaration that bars and pubs would have to be closed sooner and that liquor will only be available to stores in a limited period is intended to reduce this effect.

YOUNG PEOPLE Are Rapidly Affected IN COVID-19

Ramaphosa claimed that young people between the ages of 15 and 19 are being more regularly contaminated and said that this pattern is closely associated with the number of mass events that people in this age range are attending.

He said that almost 1 000 young people from Gauteng tested positive for COVID-19 after the Ballito Rage “super spreader” incident earlier this month.

“What we don’t know yet is how many more people each of them has been infected,” he added. “It is said that some 300 families could have been infected by just one event.”

He also cited travel activity as a source of worry and increased infection.

“The further we fly, the higher the chance of the transmission of the virus. It is completely necessary to wear a mask in public transport and to leave the windows open at all times,” he added.

‘FESTIVE SEASON Presents GREAT THEREAT’

Ramaphosa said that South Africans were eager to be immersed in the celebrations normally enjoyed during the month of December, but cautioned that if this activity persists under the desperate circumstances confronting the public, even more citizens will succumb to COVID-19.

“They have now fallen into the mood of the holiday season. We welcomed family to Christmas and began relaxing with friends, but it was our inability to comply with all the laws and safety protocols at all times that led us to this second wave.

He said that the festive season “is now the greatest threat to the recovery of our nation and economy.”

“If we don’t do it better this holiday season, we’ll face the New Year not with laughter, but with sorrow. If we approach it differently, this is likely to be the last Christmas for many South Africans.”