NB!! New variant

Hi there, been awhile since we last posted but feel this vital information requires more detailed insights. Especially as we have topped 1 million cases as of the past 24 hours.
So we have headed back to lockdown level 3.
There have been scary and realistic stats showing a massive spike in cases, with 50% reported cases since Christmas alone.
Ramaphosa announced this evening in his address to the nation that we are moving back into the dark and stressful age of LOCKDOWN LEVEL 3.
In determining our response to the second wave of infections, we have sought to carefully balance the need to save lives and to protect livelihoods.

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LEGAL ACTION IMPLEMENTED for Health & Safety protocols – FACE MASKS

Social gatherings are limited to 100 people outdoors and 50 indoors, provided there is good ventilation, social distancing, hand sanitization and wearing a face mask wherever possible.
Wear masks. Sanitize regularly. Other than legal action the lives and well being of your loved ones, your colleagues and you are the main and most important factor to consider. Consider them when going out, meeting friends, not covering your nose in a mall, not sanitizing your hands before hugging your Gogo or Sussie or Mum. Be wise.

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ALCOHOL RESTRICTIONS

The sale of alcohol from retail outlets will only be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday. This will be enforced until the 15 January – on provision that cases will decreases.
Registered wineries and wine farms may continue to offer tastings and wine sales to the public for off-site consumption over weekends. This exception is being made due to the vital contribution of these establishments to the tourism sector in several parts of the country.
Alcohol consumption in all public spaces, such as beaches and parks, is strictly forbidden.

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CURFEW

The hours of the curfew will be longer, starting at 11pm and ending at 4am.
Non-essential establishments, including restaurants and bars, will have to close at 10pm so that staff and patrons can get home before the enforcement of the curfew.
HOTSPOTS (HIGH RISK AREAS)
Be EXTRA cautious when visiting other provinces, other households, friends of friends, a New Years gathering or even just a New Years Day braai.

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NEW VARIANT

Research data compiled from laboratories in the UK and South Africa data and the South African variant has shown to effect younger populations with harder. Our variant may possibly also be more resistant vaccines. But nothing is for certain, just yet.

Putting our data together with that in the UK, this [South African] variant is a bit more effective at spreading from person to person and that is not good. It means we have to get a bit better at stopping it

Ours raises a few more concerns for a vaccine [than the UK variant] … Another worry is reinfection. We are currently doing the careful, methodical work in the laboratory to answer all the questions we have and that takes time.

Dr Richard Lessells, one of the specialists leading research into the new variant in South Africa.

The South African variant leaves researchers more concerned. The adaptation of the virus has resulted in a pathogen that is more contagious. It spreads with greater ease allowing rapid spiking in COVD-19 cases.
A mutation in the SA variant may allow the virus to better bind to and enter cells than previous COVID viral strains, potentially easing transmission.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: Be aware that symptoms may present like the first strain, but it is important to remember that ASYMPTOMATIC PERSONS ARE STILL CONTAGIOUS!!!! (Just because you do not have symptoms does not mean you are COVID free).

• Fever
• Dry Cough
• Unexplained tiredness (lack of energy)
• Digestive issues (diarrhoea)

Many cases, unlike the first wave, are youngsters, between 15 to 19 years. This current increase in cases may be due to COVID fatigue, complacency, or “inconvenience” of safety measure. It is clear though that the consequence of the new variant or reckless behavior have resulted in thousands more death, the loss of loved ones and the disability of illness, short and long term. A second wave had been predicted in South Africa but not for another two to six months, so settle in, hunker down and be safe – we still have The COVID Chaos to deal with.

Should the situation deteriorate, further action will be taken to protect our people.

Be safe SA and the rest of the world.
May 2021 be a healthier year for us all.