The DA says it will not drop its court case scheduled for Monday to have beaches operating on the Garden Route in the Western Cape to be reopened. This is despite government announcing that a new variant of the coronavirus is driving the second wave of the pandemic.
On Sunday, the Department of Health confirmed that infections have increased to 921 922 with 9 445 new cases and 152 new deaths, which brings the total death toll to 24 691.
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The matter to have the beaches reopened is due to be heard at the High Court in Cape Town on Monday.
DA Shadow Minister for Health, Siviwe Gwarube, says they are concerned about the economy of the Garden Route, particularly the livelihoods of people working in the hospitality and tourism industries.
“We are of the view that the only way to beat this resurgence, this different lineage of the COVID-19 pandemic remains the same that we needed to do during the first wave. That is why we are of the view that if we can save as many jobs as possible by reinvigorating the tourism industry and keeping the tourism industry in coastal towns, then we must do so.”
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has said government will oppose any legal action brought against it over the new regulations, vowing that they will not neglect their responsibility to protect the lives and health of South Africans.
Meanwhile, the Ministerial Advisory Committee’s Professor Salim Abdool Karim says experts are checking how the new variant of the coronavirus in South Africa came about.
Government is urging the public to continue wearing masks, practice social distancing and regular hand washing.
Experts are checking to see if the vaccines that will be available next year – will work with the variant of the virus.
Professor Salim Abdool Karim on resurgence of COVID-19 infections:
