By Mduduzi Hlophe

MBABANE: South Africacan President Cyril Ramaphosahas announced that borders will remain closed as the country prepares to gradually ease the lockdown restrictions.

Addressing the Nation on Thursday, the President said it was clear that the lockdown has been working with other measures such as closing the boarders.

"There is clear evidence that the lockdown has been working with other measures such as closing our borders,the changing in behaviour that each of us has made.The lockdown has actually slowed down the progression of the pandemic in the country.Yet a nation wide lockdown is probably the most effective means to contain the virus it cannot be sustained indefinitely. Our people need to eat, they need to earn a living, companies need to produce and to trade  to keep their employees in employment.We have accordingly decided that beyond Thursday 30 th April we should begin a gradual and phased recovery of economic activity" he said.

The President further mentioned that the lockdown cannot be end abruptly since that could cause a resurgence of the disease.He said his government devised a 5-phase strategy which he also described as 5 coronavirus levels. 

"Level 5 is means drastic measures are required to contain the spread of the virus to save lives.Level 4 means that some activity can be allowed to resume subject to extreme precautions required to limit the community transmission and outbreaks.Level 3 involves the easing of some restrictions including on work and social activities to address high risk of transmission. Level 2 involves the further easing of restrictions but the maintenance of physical distances and restrictions on some leisure and social activities to prevent resurgence of the virus. Level 1 means most normal activity can resume with precautions and health guidelines followed at all times"the Presidentsaid.